When and Where: 

Sunday, April 16 at 2:50pm CST/3:20pm EST 

Kaurna Country | Norwood Oval

What it Means for the GIANTS: 

Essendon overcame inaccuracy in front of goal to record a 13-point win over the GIANTS, their first win against the club since 2019, at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon. GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley admitted post-match the GIANTS had work to do after being outworked around the ball, with Gather Round providing the perfect opportunity for the GIANTS to make amends.

Last Time We Met: 

Callum Brown was the difference for the GIANTS in their 22-point win against Hawthorn at a rain-soaked GIANTS Stadium in round 16 last year. Playing in just his fourth game, Brown kicked four goals in the 11.6 (72) to 7.8 (50) win. Jesse Hogan and Jacob Wehr each added two goals, with Lachie Whitfield (32 disposals), Stephen Coniglio (31 disposals), and Josh Kelly (30 disposals) also amongst the GIANTS’ best.

Where’s the opposition at? 

Geelong recorded their first win of the season after taking down Hawthorn by 82 points on Easter Monday at the MCG. The Hawks kicked the first three goals of the game and should have led by more than nine points at half-time, but it was a complete annihilation after the main break. Geelong kicked 10 goals to no score in a third quarter onslaught, before finishing with 16 of the final 17 goals to defeat the Hawks 19.13 (127) to 6.9 (45). Sam Mitchell’s side will likely be without Will Day for Gather Round after the 21-year-old was suspended for two weeks for a sling tackle by the MRO.

GIANTS Player to Watch: 

Veteran Callan Ward was amongst the GIANTS’ best in the defeat to Essendon, playing an impressive match as a high half-forward. The inaugural GIANTS co-captain has reinvented himself in the new role under Adam Kingsley, registering two goals from his 22 disposals on Sunday afternoon. 

In the Mix: 

There were no injuries out of the GIANTS’ loss to Essendon last weekend, however, former co-captain Phil Davis unfortunately injured himself just before half-time in the VFL’s win over Coburg with scans revealing a groin strain that will sideline him for a few weeks. Wade Derksen (five goals) was the stand-out performer for the GIANTS in the VFL, with Kieren Briggs (27 hit-outs, 24 disposals and 16 clearances) also pushing for senior selection after yet another strong display in the ruck. Josh Fahey (33 disposals, eight marks) continued his impressive early-season form, whilst number one pick Aaron Cadman will also come into consideration for his AFL debut after travelling to Melbourne as an emergency last weekend. Toby Bedford (hamstring), Leek Aleer (quad) and Harry Perryman (hamstring) won't be ready this week but are all edging closer to their returns to the field.

VFL:

Bye round.

Rehab Report:

Get a full injury update ahead of the GIANTS' trip to South Australia here.  

Where to watch: 

The GIANTS’ clash against the Hawks will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on 7Mate in NSW and the ACT from 3pm EST.

Harry Himmelberg has had a final two minutes to remember, taking a spectacular contested mark, kicking the winning major and making a desperate save on the goal line to seal a two-point win for the GIANTS over Hawthorn.

It was a case of death by a thousand cuts for the Hawks, the GIANTS kicking 4.6 in the final term to lock up the 10.17 (77) to 11.9 (75) come-from-behind victory at Norwood Oval.

Himmelberg soared high above James Sicily 30m out from goal, directly in front, and steadied his nerves to take the win with 90 seconds remaining.

Jarman Impey looked to have pinched back the game with a late bomb from 50, but Himmelberg – thrown down the other end for the final minute – saved the day with a back-bending touch on the goal line, checked by the goal review as nervous Hawthorn fans chewed fingernails.

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Hawthorn generally moved the footy with more fluency down the ground in the first 1.5 quarters, but the GIANTS' defence – led by Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley – stood firm, the Hawks unable to add to their opening two goals until the final six minutes of the half.

The GIANTS looked to expose the Hawks' slightly smaller defence, with Jesse Hogan and Himmelberg throwing their weight around despite fewer opportunities in attack, piling on five straight goals across the first half.

Tom Green – playing game No.50 – was once again one of GIANTS' best in the first half, controlling play in the stoppages and kick-starting the GIANTS' attack. Conor Nash was tasked with a stricter shutdown role after the main break, holding him to 12 disposals after 20 in the first half.

As a consequence, Stephen Coniglio took the reins after the main break, finishing with 31 possessions, while skipper Toby Greene was never far from the action with 24 and three goals.

All eyes were on No.1 pick Aaron Cadman on debut, but Hawthorn's debutant Seamus Mitchell – who has done it the hard way, being reassigned to the rookie list – had an assured first game at half-back with 17 disposals.

Karl Amon kicked two goals playing on the wing, while former delisted free agent Fergus Greene played a key role across half-forward for the Hawks, moving smoothly, setting up teammates and kicking three goals himself.

The Hawks have battled fade-outs this season but started to control play in the third term, kicking four consecutive goals to take an eight-point lead to three-quarter time.

Chad Wingard suffered a nasty lacerated tongue late in the second term, was pulled from the game and sent to hospital.

Tom Green's slinging, spinning tackle on Josh Ward late in the second quarter may be looked at by the MRO.

GIANTS                                         2.2     5.7     6.11   10.17   (77)
HAWTHORN                               2.3     4.5     8.7     11.9     (75)

GOALS

GIANTS: Greene 3, Hogan 2, Himmelberg 2, Cadman, Ward, Lloyd
Hawthorn: Greene 3, Amon 2, Breust, Newcombe, Sicily, Long, Brockman, Moore

BEST

GIANTS: Green, Coniglio, Taylor, Greene, Himmelberg, Cumming
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Worpel, Impey, Greene, Nash, Brockman

INJURIES

GIANTS: Nil
Hawthorn: Chad Wingard (tongue), Breust (corked glute)

SUBSTITUTES

GIANTS: Harry Rowston (replaced Adam Kennedy at three-quarter time)
Hawthorn: Cam Mackenzie (replaced Chad Wingard at half-time)

Crowd: TBC at Norwood Oval