When and Where: 

Saturday, May 6 at 7:30pm
Ngunnawal Country | Manuka Oval

What it Means for the GIANTS: 

GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley said "anything's possible" for his team after watching them overturn a 24-point final-quarter deficit to defeat the Swans in a thrilling Sydney Derby XXV. The GIANTS currently sit with a 3-4 win-loss record and travel to Canberra full of confidence and momentum.

Last Time We Met: 

The Bulldogs narrowly held on to record a five-point win over the GIANTS at Marvel Stadium last year. The Bulldogs were tested at every turn by a GIANTS side determined to overcome their rivals. After falling behind by four points at three-quarter time, Luke Beveridge's charges needed to respond, and they did just enough in the final quarter to secure a season-saving win. Stephen Coniglio (31 disposals, eight marks) and Josh Kelly (35 disposals, 12 marks, 600 metres gained) stood out for the GIANTS, while Harry Himmelberg's sensational move to defence continued with a 30 disposal, 12-mark outing.

Where’s the opposition at? 

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge lauded his players' ability to grind out a result, ensuring captain Marcus Bontempelli celebrated his 200th game in style with a 29-point win over Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium last weekend. Trailing by three points heading into the main break, the ‘Dogs emerged after half-time with a point to prove – slotting seven of the next nine goals to overrun the Hawks 14.10 (94) to 9.11 (65). Dogs midfielder Tom Liberatore remains a test ahead of Saturday night’s clash in Canberra, recovering from a concussion. Hayden Crozier (ankle) and Jordon Sweet (bruised heel) were unavailable last week, with the pair on the improve and a chance to return.

GIANTS Player to Watch: 

It just had to be Toby Greene to kick the match-winning goal as the GIANTS stunned the Swans at the SCG last weekend. With a brilliantly snapped right-foot goal inside the final minute, the GIANTS' superstar captain piloted his team to a remarkable come-from-behind win over their cross-town rival.

"He's an outstanding player, there's no question. He's been that for a long time," Kingsley said of Greene post-match.

"He's had that impact on games for a long period of time now and he just seizes those moments and looks for those opportunities where he can impact, and I thought he was fantastic.
"His ability to win the ball in contest is elite. Typically, when you go through all the elite players in the League, they all win contest, and his ability to do that in critical moments also is as good as anyone in the competition."

In the Mix: 

Several GIANTS are closing in on returns after overcoming minor injury setbacks this week. Veterans Phil Davis, Daniel Lloyd and Lachlan Keeffe will all look to put their hands up to return, with all three set to undergo fitness tests later in the week. Inaugural GIANTS captain Callan Ward is set to return after serving a one-match suspension, with Jake Riccardi (20 disposals, 13 marks, four goals) and Wade Derksen (24 disposals, four tackles) in contention after starring for the GIANTS in the VFL.

VFL:

GIANTS v Footscray Bulldogs 
Saturday, May 6 at 12:35pm
Darug Country | Blacktown International Sportspark

All VFL matches will be live streamed free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. 

Visit: afl.com.au/stream-vfl and follow the links. All matches will be available to watch on demand.

Rehab Report:

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

Where to watch: 

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

Marcus Bontempelli has helped the Western Bulldogs crack the top eight for the first time this season in a 13.8 (86) to 10.11 (71) win against the GIANTS in Canberra.

Career-high numbers in contested possessions (25) and clearances (14) saw Bontempelli show the dynamism that makes him arguably the game’s best player, putting the team on his shoulders to carry them to an important win.

But he traded blows with emerging GIANTS bull Tom Green, who posted his own career highs with 38 touches and three goals back on his home Canberra turf.

Four straight goals to start the second half saw the Dogs burn their opponents off, although the GIANTS returned the favour in the final term’s first 11 minutes to keep themselves in the fight just 10 points down.

It set up a grandstand finish, but back-to-back majors from Bulldogs key forward Aaron Naughton iced the game.

Much was made of GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley’s potential inclination to send a hard tag to Bontempelli but he had free rein early and helped himself to 15 contested possessions, 10 clearances, six inside 50s and a goal in a monstrous first half. 

The Bulldogs shared the load up forward with nine individual goalkickers and their power trio of Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Rory Lobb found six between them despite the wet conditions, while a young excitement machine led the way early.

Sixth-gamer Arthur Jones kicked two goals in a lively cameo, his high-energy play inside 50 helping them pinch a 10-point quarter-time break.

Greene’s absence clearly hurt the GIANTS and they lacked efficiency inside 50, veteran Callan Ward stepping up to kick two goals before Green hit the scoreboard late to give his side a lifeline.

Midfield supremos Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly racked up 65 disposals between them, while running defenders Lachie Ash (28 touches) and Connor Idun (28) were particularly damaging.

In eight games under Kingsley, the GIANTS haven't sustained a final margin of more than 21 points, but still have a 3-5 record.

A potential hamstring injury for midfielder Adam Treloar that saw him immediately subbed out of the game was the only major negative for the Bulldogs.

GIANTS                                       2.3   5.4     5.9     10.11 (71)
WESTERN BULLDOGS                4.1   7.4    11.6     13.8 (86)

GOALS

GIANTS: Green 3, Hogan 2, Ward 2, O'Halloran, Lloyd, Himmelberg
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 3, Lobb 2, Jones 2, Weightman, Ugle-Hagan, Scott, Liberatore, Johannisen, Bontempelli

BEST

GIANTS: Green, Haynes, Kelly, Whitfield, Hogan
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, English, Liberatore, Naughton, Smith, Macrae

INJURIES

GIANTS: TBC
Western Bulldogs: Treloar (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES

GIANTS: Daniel Lloyd (replaced Toby Greene in the selected side)

SUBSTITUTES

GIANTS: James Peatling (replaced Aaron Cadman in the third quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Lachlan McNeil (replaced Adam Treloar in the third quarter)

 Crowd: TBC at Manuka Oval