When and Where: 

Sunday, June 4 at 1:10pm
GIANTS Stadium | Wangal Country

What it Means for the GIANTS: 

The GIANTS celebrated Toby Greene’s 200^th game in style after stunning the reigning premiers at GMHBA Stadium last weekend. Greene starred early, with former skippers Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward also significant contributors in the gutsy 12.9 (81) to 10.14 (74) win. Full of confidence following the win over Geelong, the GIANTS return home to GIANTS Stadium looking to take down another powerhouse of the AFL competition.

Last Time We Met: 

Phil Davis (hamstring) and Daniel Lloyd (forearm) were significant casualties as the GIANTS fell to the Tigers by 36 points at the MCG last year. Tom Green (34 disposals, six marks) and Josh Kelly (26 disposals, two goals) were amongst the best on a frustrating afternoon for the GIANTS.

Where’s the opposition at? 

Just eight days after Damien Hardwick’s final game in charge, Richmond challenged Port Adelaide but ultimately fell short on Sunday afternoon at the MCG. The Power held off a fierce Tigers challenge on their way to a 10.17 (77) to 9.13 (67) win. Former GIANT Tim Taranto has been the subject of arguments in a section of the media around his disposal efficiency and effectiveness of late, but his 33-touch, four-goal performance was a best-on-ground effort. The Tigers may need to make room for two inclusions, with Nick Vlaustin and Maurice Rioli set to return.

GIANTS Player to Watch: 

After being elevated from co-captain in 2022 to standalone skipper in 2023, Toby Greene showed why he is not only one of the best players in the AFL, but an inspired choice as captain. The dual All-Australian celebrated his 200th AFL game last weekend, and he underlined his superstar status again with his four first-half goals proving the difference for the GIANTS. Because GIANTS fans couldn’t celebrate Toby’s 200^th at home last weekend, the GIANTS are continuing the party at GIANTS Stadium this weekend with first 3,000 people through the gates to collect a FREE Toby 201 mask!

In the Mix: 

The GIANTS will regain Harry Himmelberg from concussion provided he clears the protocols for Sunday’s clash with Richmond, while Nick Haynes’ recovery has been delayed by an infection. Adam Kingsley has indicated he’s looking to make just the solitary change for round 12.

VFL:

GIANTS v Richmond  
Sunday, June 4 at 9:30am
GIANTS Stadium | Wangal Country

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' clash against Richmond, 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 1:00pm.

Richmond has experienced a moment of Marlion magic against the GIANTS before.

Having already witnessed his special Grand Final debut back in 2019, the Tigers faithful perhaps could have foreseen what would eventuate when Marlion Pickett was bearing down on goal with the ball in his possession amid a dramatic clash that was all square with 24 seconds remaining on Sunday afternoon.

Of course, Pickett kicked truly and in doing so snatched a thrilling 16.14 (110) to 15.14 (104) victory from the hands of the GIANTS to notch Andrew McQualter's first triumph as an AFL coach and keep Richmond's slim finals hopes alive.

Tigers veteran Jack Riewoldt was sensational in the remarkable win. He also wound back the years, kicking five goals from 15 disposals and eight marks to spearhead the upset. Tim Taranto, playing against his old side for the first time, was also a commanding presence and finished with 35 disposals, nine clearances and a goal.

The GIANTS had taken the lead with just three minutes left to play. Led by Tom Green (35 disposals, eight clearances) and Callan Ward (32 disposals, one goal), the young side had battled hard and thought they had secured a second successive win when Kieren Briggs just managed to squeeze his shot home in the dying stages.

But, this time, it proved not to be. Dion Prestia levelled the scores almost instantly, before Pickett somehow stepped through traffic, steadied on his left foot, and slotted home calmly to the delirium of the travelling fans. Although still two games from the top-eight, it ensured Richmond's season is not done yet.

The game had initially appeared as though it would be a battle of efficiency. Where the GIANTS had been profligate early, managing three of the first four scoring shots but registering only three behinds, the Tigers made the most of their chances. They kicked 10 scores from 12 entries to quarter-time, taking a 24-point lead at the first change.

Riewoldt was at the centre of the side's early surge. Having kicked two goals from strong marks himself in the first quarter, the 34-year-old then unselfishly put one on a plate for Jack Graham to start the second term as the visitors' advantage grew even further. They were ominous signs for the hosts.

The GIANTS needed a circuit-breaker, and some luck. Three of their next four scoring shots would hit the post – adding to the frustrating sense of wastefulness – before hope started to arrive in droves. Four straight goals, topped off by Finn Callaghan's long-range bomb, eventually reduced the deficit to single digits just before half time.

In a match full of momentum swings, some parity eventually broke out in the third term as both sides battled for control and any sort of edge. The result, for the most part, was an ugly stalemate as Richmond retained a handy 16-point buffer while also squandering a host of chances to build on its advantage.

The GIANTS needed their leaders to stand up and, in a timely fashion, they did. Toby Greene produced two unique finishes around goal, Ward kicked truly on the run, while exciting recruit Toby Bedford streamed through the middle and converted his own work to whittle the deficit away to a solitary point.

A dramatic clash was screaming out for heroes and found two unlikely ones. GIANTS substitute Josh Fahey first put the hosts in front, belting home from beyond 50m for his first AFL goal, before Richmond youngster Judson Clarke responded with an equally impressive strike just moments later to regain the lead for the Tigers.

With the scores level, Briggs dump-kicked out of a stoppage to seemingly give the hosts a win to savour. But a response from Prestia, and the match-winner from Pickett, stunned the home crowd and ensured Richmond's slim hopes of a September return still burn.

GIANTS                                         2.4     6.9      8.12       15.14 (104)
RICHMOND                                 6.4     9.4     11.10      16.14 (110)

GOALS

GIANTS: Greene 3, Briggs 2, Riccardi, Brown, Hogan, O'Halloran, Callaghan, Daniels, Ward, Bedford, Cadman, Fahey
Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Clarke 2, Pickett 2, Taranto, Mansell, Bolton, Graham, McIntosh, Ryan, Prestia

BEST

GIANTS: Green, Ward, Callaghan, Ash, Whitfield, Bedford
Richmond: Riewoldt, Taranto, Bolton, Prestia, Short, Martin

INJURIES

GIANTS: Daniels (hamstring)
Richmond: Grimes (shoulder)

SUBSTITUTES

GIANTS: Fahey (replaced Daniels in the third quarter)
Richmond: Cumberland (replaced Mansell in the fourth quarter)