When and Where: 

Sunday, July 2 at 2:50pm CST/3:20pm EST
TIO Traeger Park | Arrernte Country

What it Means for the GIANTS: 

Back-to-back wins over North Melbourne and Fremantle before the bye has the GIANTS sitting one win outside the top eight. The GIANTS’ draw in the back half of the season isn’t an easy one, but a win over the fourth-placed Demons this weekend could be the catalyst for a push towards September action.

Last Time We Met: 

It’s been a while since we’ve played the Demons, and it wasn’t a very good day for the GIANTS. Leon Cameron’s side hung tough in the first half but were blown out of the water in the second half as the Demons set up a comprehensive 19.6 (120) to 7.11 (53) win at the MCG in round five last year.

Where’s the opposition at? 

Melbourne fell just short against Geelong last weekend. In wet conditions at GMHBA Stadium, the Demons and Cats battled it out in a fierce contest, with the travelling team leading at the final break. But a quick swing in momentum saw Geelong take control of the game and seal a 11.12 (78) to 8.15 (63) win.

GIANTS Player to Watch: 

GIANTS forward Toby Bedford will face his former side for the first time this weekend. The GIANTS sent pick 44 to Melbourne in exchange for the lively goal-kicker, who played 18 games over four seasons for the Demons after being selected at pick 75 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft. Bedford enjoyed an impressive pre-season after arriving at the GIANTS, winning both of the club’s 2km time trials before a hamstring injury in an intra-club match sidelined the 23-year-old. Bedford returned in time to make his debut for the GIANTS in Sydney Derby XXV, averaging 12.4 disposals and 5.5 tackles and has kicked six goals from his eight appearances in 2023.

In the Mix: 

The GIANTS should regain Jesse Hogan, who was a late withdrawal from the win over Fremantle after a calf complaint. Nick Haynes will also be fit, having recovered from a rolled ankle over the bye break. Lachie Whitfield will go out of the team as he serves a one-match suspension, with Isaac Cumming a possiblereplacement. James Peatling (37 disposals, nine clearances) and Harry Rowston (28 disposals, one goal) were also impressive in the VFL prior to the break. Also set to return from a stint on the sidelines is veteran Phil Davis, who has missed several weeks with a calf injury. Davis is likely to return via the VFL alongside draftees Toby McMullin (groin) and Jason Gillbee (concussion). Small forward Brent Daniels continues to progress in his rehabilitation from his minor hamstring injury and is hopeful for a return in round 17.

VFL:

Casey Demons v GIANTS 
Sunday, July 2 at 12:05pm
Casey Fields | Bunurong 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' trip to Alice Springs, here.   

Where to watch: 

Sunday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on 7Mate in NSW and the ACT from 3:00pm.

Josh Kelly has kicked a monster winning goal to snatch the GIANTS a dramatic two-point upset win over a wasteful Melbourne and thrust the GIANTS into the finals-chasing pack.

The GIANTS appeared destined to fall short with about two minutes left in the final quarter in Alice Springs when Kelly marked, played on and launched from close to 60m out.

The GIANTS held on for a dramatic 7.5 (47) to 5.15 (45) victory that puts the GIANTS four points outside the eight and leaves the Demons' top-four spot vulnerable.

The loss, Melbourne's second on the bounce, leaves the fourth-placed Demons (36 points) eight points behind third-placed Brisbane and only ahead of the fifth-placed Western Bulldogs on percentage.

The Demons also lost gun forward Bayley Fritsch to a first-quarter foot injury.

Fritsch was caught in a big pack of players when flying for a mark and appeared to have his foot stepped on.

He immediately left the field for assessment and was substituted for Jake Melksham.

Unsurprisingly, Melbourne and the GIANTS midfield bulls Jack Viney and Tom Green both got to work in the wet and won plenty of contested ball respectively.

Viney racked up 40 disposals, eight clearances and 607 metres gained and was well-supported by a wasteful Christian Petracca (34 disposals, 556 metres gained), while Angus Brayshaw and Steven May were important.

Green (38 disposals, 16 contested possessions), Kelly (26) and Stephen Coniglio (30) had plenty of the footy for the GIANTS.

Melksham booted the Demons' first goal as they endured a wasteful start in difficult conditions, struggling with the GIANTS' relentless pressure.

Petracca kicked four behinds in the opening half while Toby Greene booted two second-quarter goals to keep the GIANTS in the thick of things, with scores level at half-time.

The GIANTS came out of the main break with greater intensity and it soon paid off.

Xavier O'Halloran put the GIANTS in front with a close-range free kick and Josh Kelly snapped another shortly after.

Isaac Cumming nudged the GIANTS out to an 18-point lead midway through the third quarter.

But Brodie Grundy and Kysaiah Pickett responded to tighten up the contest.

Ed Langdon kicked a terrific set shot early in the fourth quarter to put the Demons back in front.

The GIANTS attacked time after time without reward, until Kelly let loose with the decisive long bomb.

Where's the Alice sunshine?

It seems the Melbourne weather followed the Demons on their trip to the Red Centre. While Alice Springs averages a lovely 20 degrees at this time of year, it was far from it on Sunday as the Demons and GIANTS faced off in rain, fog and at times, strong winds as temperatures hovered around an uncharacteristic eight degrees. The slippery conditions led to poor disposal from both teams, with Melbourne kicking at just 62.5 per cent efficiency, while the Giants went at 66.2 per cent efficiency, well below their season averages.

Briggs a ruck on the rise

Young GIANTS ruckman Kieran Briggs had a giant job in front of him, coming up against star big men Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy – who boast a combined eight All-Australians between them. But rather than shirking the job at hand, Briggs stood up to the challenge and showed why he is a ruck on the rise. The 23-year-old finished with an equal game-high 19 hitouts, five clearances and six tackles.

MELBOURNE                             1.5    2.9     4.12    5.15 (45)
GIANTS                                         1.0    3.3     6.4      7.5 (47)

GOALS

Melbourne: Bowey, Grundy, Langdon, Melksham, Pickett
GIANTS: Greene 2, Kelly 2, Brown, Cumming, O'Halloran

BEST

Melbourne: Viney, Hunter, Petracca, May Bowey, Pickett
GIANTS: Coniglio, Green, Kelly, Greene, , Briggs, Himmelberg

INJURIES

Melbourne: Fritsch (foot)
GIANTS: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Melbourne: Jake Melksham (replaced at Bayley Fritsch in the first quarter)
GIANTS: Ryan Angwin (replaced Daniel Lloyd in the fourth quarter)