Match Information:
GIANTS v Crows
Saturday, September 23 at 11:05am
Manuka Oval | Ngunnawal Country
State of Play:
The GIANTS:
The GIANTS will look to rebound from their tough start to season 2023 when they host the undefeated Crows in Manuka on Saturday.
The GIANTS will return to Canberra following a winless opening three rounds but with plenty of positives to build from following impressive patches of play against some of last year’s best sides.
While yet to sing the song this season, the GIANTS have shown plenty of promise across the first three rounds as coach Cam Bernasconi continues to build his young list into a consistent four-quarter team.
In their most recent outing, the GIANTS looked set to record their first win of the season following a blistering third quarter before running out of gas to fall to the Tigers by 19 points.
After being down 16 points early in the third term, the GIANTS piled on four straight goals in a scintillating 10-minute stretch to hold a nine-point lead in the dying minutes of the quarter.
But, showing the drop in intensity and focus that Bernasconi is trying to address with his young side, the GIANTS were unable to continue their pressure or win the contest at the source in the final term as Richmond registered a 7.11 (53) to 5.4 (34) win.
Alyce Parker (21 disposals, two goals, seven tackles), Nicola Barr (18 disposals, three clearances), and Rising Star nominee Zarlie Goldsworthy (18 disposals, five clearances) were all strong contributors while Bec Beeson (17 touches, four tackles, four inside-50s) continued her strong comeback from concussion issues.
Making Saturday’s clash with the Crows that little bit tougher, the GIANTS will be without skipper Alicia Eva who will miss the game through a one-match suspension for rough conduct in the loss to the Tigers.
The Opposition:
The most successful club in the AFLW’s eight-season history, with flags in 2017, 2019, and 2022, the Crows have continued their dominant ways with a perfect 3-0 start to the 2023 season.
With impressive wins against Port Adelaide, Richmond, and Essendon to date, last year’s grand final runner-up will enter the clash with the GIANTS full of momentum.
In their most recent outing, Adelaide overcome a strong start from Essendon to blitz the Bombers with a sizzling second-quarter barrage.
Playing at Adelaide’s Unley Oval, the Crows flexed their muscles with a dominant 4.3 to no score second term to turn a four-point quarter-time deficit into a 23-point half-time lead.
The Crows continued to soar in the second half, kicking seven goals to the Bombers’ three en route to a commanding 47-point win.
Anne Hatchard (27 disposals, 2.1), Danielle Ponter (16 disposals, 3.1) and Ebony Marinoff (22 disposals, 15 tackles) were the Crows’ best as they helped hand the Bombers their first loss of the season.
Recent History:
It was a day to forget for the GIANTS the last time they faced the Crows who rewrote the record books with a 15.7 (97) to 0.1 (1) win at Unley Oval in round five of season seven.
Showing the difference in experience, the seasoned Crows dominated the youthful GIANTS who were unable to overcome the class of their much more mature opponents.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash, Bernasconi has spoken about his excitement to see how far his side has come since last year’s record-breaking loss to the Crows.
GIANTS Player to Watch:
Celebrating her 50th AFLW game two weeks ago against the Demons, Nicola Barr continues to show her younger teammates exactly what it takes to thrive at the elite level both on and off the track.
The number one pick in the very first AFLW Draft, Barr has started her 2023 campaign off with a bang as she relishes a move to the midfield.
Following a team-high 24 touches and a whopping nine clearances against Melbourne a fortnight ago, the hard-running midfielder backed it up with 18 touches and three clearances against the Tigers on Saturday to once again be amongst the GIANTS’ best.
With skipper Alicia Eva missing on Saturday, Barr will need to continue her red-hot start to the season alongside the likes of Alyce Parker and Zarlie Goldsworthy if the GIANTS are a chance at taking down the Crows in Canberra.
In the Mix:
With Eva out through suspension, the GIANTS will be forced into at least one change to take on the Crows.
Caitlin Miller, Cambridge McCormick, and Jasmine Grierson could all come into contention after being named as emergencies for last week’s clash with the Tigers.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their round four team at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Crows here.
Where to Watch:
The GIANTS’ round four clash with the Crows will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo national and on 7Mate in NSW and the ACT from 11am on Saturday.
Social Media:
Follow the GIANTS’ brand new Instagram account, @GIANTS_AFLW, and be part of the #BigBigSound in 2023.
