When and Where: 

Sunday, April 9 at 2:10pm
Wurundjeri Country | Marvel Stadium

What it Means for the GIANTS: 

Carlton overcame a spirited challenge from the GIANTS to seal a 10-point triumph at GIANTS Stadium last Saturday afternoon. The GIANTS kicked three consecutive goals either side of the last change to claim the lead until the Blues were awarded a controversial free kick in the goal square late in the final term to record a 9.20 (74) to 9.10 (64) win. The GIANTS will take confidence in the trip to Marvel Stadium, holding a strong recent record against Essendon, winning four of the last five encounters against them.

Last Time We Met: 

The GIANTS kicked seven consecutive goals to pull away from Essendon and record a 27-point win at GIANTS Stadium late last year. Lachie Whitfield re-discovered his rebound and dash off half-back with a game-high 30 disposals for 549 metres gained to seal a 14.12 (96) to 10.9 (69) win for the GIANTS.

Where’s the opposition at? 

St Kilda maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 18-point victory over Essendon at the MCG last weekend. Despite trailing by 34-points early in the match, the Bombers drew level in the final quarter before St Kilda steadied with a five-goal burst to record a 14.8 (92) to 11.8 (74) win and subsequently handing the Bombers their first loss of the season.  

GIANTS Player to Watch: 

After sitting out the trip to Western Australia with concussion, the returning Josh Kelly continued the rich vein of form that he has experienced against Carlton in recent years. The GIANTS vice-captain has averaged 33.2 disposals and 6.4 clearances in his last five games against the Blues, and Saturday's outing was equally as impressive, registering 30 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances for the GIANTS.

In the Mix: 

Josh Fahey (43 disposals) was the stand-out performer for the GIANTS as they recorded their first win of the VFL season at GIANTS Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Draftees Max Gruzewski (four goals) and Aaron Cadman (three goals) were also both impressive, with experienced defenders Phil Davis and Lachlan Keeffe and ruck Kieren Briggs all likely to come into contention for AFL selection this week. Midfielder Xavier O’Halloran has returned to training following a quad injury and is due to play his first game of the season this weekend.

VFL:

The GIANTS’ VFL side take on Coburg at Piranha Park on Saturday at 11:45am.

Rehab Report:

Get a full injury update ahead of the GIANTS' trip to Marvel Stadium here.  

Where to watch: 

Sunday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on Channel 7 in NSW and the ACT from 2pm.

Tickets:

GIANTS fans who wish to purchase tickets to Sunday’s clash can do so via the Ticketmaster event page here. GIANTS fans are encouraged to sit near the GIANTS Cheer Squad Located in Level 1, Aisle 25. 

Essendon has shaken off a serious case of the yips to record a 13-point win over the GIANTS Sydney on Sunday, their first win over the GIANTS since 2019.

It was a horror day in front of goal – under the Marvel Stadium roof – for the Bombers, sitting on 6.19 during the third term before straightening up in the last to push out to the 11.22 (88) to 11.9 (75) victory.

GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley ripped into his squad during the three-quarter time address, pulling the players in before they split into their line meetings, but it was the Bombers who kicked the first three goals of the fourth term after taking a six-point lead into the last break.

Quick goals from Toby Greene and Harry Himmelberg cut the margin to 13 points with four minutes remaining, but the GIANTS had left themselves with too much work to do, and Essendon hung on.

The GIANTS made a few crucial errors exiting 50 in the first quarter, but Essendon couldn't capitalise on the turnover, kicking eight consecutive behinds.

The contrast was on show down the other end of the field, with the GIANTS kicking four straight goals and looking dangerous in attack.

The home side were dominating around the contest early – Tom Green playing an impressive lone hand for the GIANTS with eight contested possessions in the first term alone (17 for the match) – and the Bombers were able to make more of their clearances.

Essendon forward Sam Weideman's day finished early in the second quarter with concussion after his head was collected by Nick Haynes' hip, as the GIANTS completed a leaping spoil.

It meant Kyle Langford was swung into attack, with Dyson Heppell sent to defence. The former skipper had been bumped out of the 22 as a late change, with ruck Andrew Phillips brought in to stretch the GIANTS' backline.

The comedy of errors in the second term was best encapsulated by Mason Redman's brainfade deep in defensive 50, attempting a quick handball without pushing back from the mark, which Callan Ward reached around (without moving his feet) to intercept and kick a goal.

Veteran Ward had a fine match, playing an impressive match in a high half-forward role, while Josh Kelly was at his classy best and Nick Haynes battled hard across half-back in an under-the-pressure defence.

ESSENDON                                 2.8     3.13    8.19    11.22   (88)
GIANTS                                         4.0     6.5      9.7     11.9     (75)

GOALS

Essendon: Stringer 4, Martin 2, Langford, Merrett, Draper, Redman, Perkins
GIANTS: Himmelberg 3, Ward 2, Kelly 2, Greene 2, Daniels, Coniglio

BEST

Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Draper, Stringer, Redman, Kelly
GIANTS: Green, Kelly, Ward, Haynes, Whitfield

INJURIES

Essendon: Weideman (concussion)
GIANTS: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Essendon: Dyson Heppell (replaced Weideman in the second quarter)
GIANTS: Cooper Hamilton (replaced Conor Stone at three-quarter time)

Crowd: 28,815 at Marvel Stadium