The GIANTS head west for a crucial clash with the Eagles who proved last week they’re capable of challenging the best in the competition.

AFL ROUND 17
 
Eagles v GIANTS
Friday, July 4 at 8:20pm AEST | 6:20pm AWST
Optus Stadium | Whadjuk

What It Means For The GIANTS   

Coming off their second and final bye of the home and away season, the GIANTS will look to ramp up their push towards September with victory out west against the improving Eagles at Optus Stadium.  

In the midst of one of the tightest seasons in recent history, the GIANTS remarkably sit just outside of the top eight in ninth despite holding a 9-6 win-loss record.

Refreshed and re-energised following the bye, the GIANTS will be aiming for a vital win in Perth in what looms as a danger game and one they can’t afford to lose in order to stay in touch with an incredibly congested pack in the race to finals. 

While currently sitting outside of the top eight, the GIANTS sit just a game behind the third-placed Crows and with a win over the Eagles on Friday could end the round sitting just outside of the top four only by percentage.

If the GIANTS are to clip the Eagles’ wings on Friday night they’ll have to do it without one of their stars however, with two-time All-Australian defender Lachie Whitfield ruled out of the game with concussion symptoms following a knock he received early on in the win over the Suns prior to the bye. 

Despite missing Whitfield, the GIANTS will enter Friday’s crucial clash full of confidence after having beaten both the Lions and the Suns in consecutive rounds prior to last week’s bye.  

The Opposition  

The emerging Eagles will return home to host the GIANTS following one of their most impressive performances of the season last week against the Magpies at Marvel Stadium.

While they eventually lost to the Pies by 29 points, the Eagles defied all outside expectations between the top and bottom sides with a brilliant showing which saw them threaten one of the biggest upsets in recent history.  

Remarkably up by eight points at half time against the current premiership favourites, the 18^th-placed Eagles out-pressured and out-hunted Collingwood for much of the opening half to show that they’recapable of matching it with any side in the competition when on song. 

While they were overrun in the final 10 minutes of the game to fall short against the Pies, West Coast showed that the work of new coach Andrew McQualter is clearly starting to pay dividends and if they can repeat some of that form against the GIANTS then they’re every chance of registering their second win of the season with a huge upset on Friday night.   

Recent History  

While the GIANTS have won four of the last five meetings between the sides dating back to 2021– including an 81-point win at ENGIE Stadium in round four earlier this year – the Eagles should hold no fear hosting the GIANTS on Friday after having won four of the five games played between the sides at Optus Stadium. 

Although their record against the Eagles at Optus Stadium sits at just 1-4, the GIANTS’ sole win over West Coast at the venue did come in the last meeting between the sides at the ground when the orange tsunami surged to a 65-point win on the road in round two last year.

If they’re to register an upset on Friday night then the Eagles will need to produce a much better effort than shown in the round four meeting between the sides, with an 11 goal to three first half giving the GIANTS a 51-point half-time lead en route to the 20.12 (132) to 7.9 (51) win.   

Key Match Up: Battle Of The Big Boys 

Friday’s clash could see former teammates go head-to-head in a crucial ruck matchup. 

After 33 games as a GIANT, Matt Flynn became an Eagle in the off season and looks likely to face off with his old side for the first time on Friday night after missing the prior clash in round four through injury.  

Averaging a career-high in disposals (13.5) to go along with 3.2 tackles and 22.6 hit-outs in 11 games for the Eagles so far this season, Flynn (with the assistance of backup ruck Bailey Williams) looks set for an intriguing ruck battle with former teammates Nick Madden or Kieren Briggs. 

Briggs has missed the last three weeks with an ankle injury and is a chance to return this week against his former ruck mate Flynn. If he doesn’t play on Friday, it will present another great opportunity for Madden, who will look to build on the promise he’s shown over the past three games in what could be a match-shaping ruck battle.

GIANTS Player To Watch: Dynamic Darcy

Friday night’s clash will be a homecoming for GIANTS’ speed machine Darcy Jones who will hope to star in front of friends and family in his native Perth as he faces the side he grew up supporting in what will be his first-ever AFL game at Optus Stadium.  

Quickly establishing himself as a key piece of Adam Kingsley’s side, Jones is certainly one to watch under the bright Friday night lights of Optus Stadium this week as he looks to use his lightning pace and creativity to cause havoc for the Eagles’ backline.

Held goalless in the win over the Suns prior to the bye, the exciting 21-year-old will be raring to go after a week off as he looks to return home with a bang on Friday night.

In The Mix 

A pair of GIANTS will need to prove their readiness in Wednesday’s main training in order to make the trip west this weekend, with both Jesse Hogan (foot soreness) and Kieren Briggs (ankle) listed as tests in Monday’s rehab report.

Emerging youngsters Jack Ough (shoulder) and Phoenix Gothard (adductor) are also listed as tests this week as they look to return to the field at either VFL or AFL level, while star vice-captain Stephen Coniglio will make his long-awaited return from a glute injury via the VFL on Saturday if he can tick all the boxes at training this week.

With the club’s VFL side also having the bye last weekend, several other AFL-listed GIANTS are fresh and eager to go if given the opportunity at AFL level this week.

The likes of Max Gruzewski, Toby McMullin, Jacob Wehr, Lachlan Keeffe, and Joey Delana were all strong contributors in the VFL a fortnight ago prior to the bye and could come into consideration for an AFL recall for Friday night’s game.  

Click here for a recap of the last VFL outing.

Team Selection 

The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Eagles at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.

Rehab Report 

Get a full injury update ahead of Friday’s match here.

Where To Watch 

The GIANTS’ clash with the Eagles will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel 7 and 7plus from 8pm, as well as nationally on Fox Sports 3 and Kayo from 8pm.  

The Finn Callaghan masterclass at Optus Stadium started with a smother and finished with a career-best 37 disposals, with the GIANTS jet spearheading a powerful 59-point win on Friday night.

The GIANTS emerged from their bye fresh and ready to run, blitzing the Eagles early and building their lead through the first three quarters to win 16.15 (111) to 8.4 (52) and move into the top eight with a valuable percentage boost.

Callaghan was the star of the show, powering away from his opponents all night and using the ball with precision in a performance that highlighted why the smooth-moving midfielder is fast becoming one of the game's most damaging players.

He was involved from the outset, smothering Harley Reid's kick out of the opening centre bounce and setting up a goal for his own team. By the final siren he had nine score involvements, eight inside 50s, six clearances and 854m gained.

His highlight came late in the second quarter when he was set into space in the centre square, turning on the jets and taking a bounce before smoothly kicking a running goal from 50m on his lethal left boot.

The 22-year-old had no shortage of support in a performance that typified the Orange Tsunami's preferred style, winning the ball in the back half and then running and spreading in waves. 

Midfielder Tom Green (35 and nine clearances) was excellent in an entertaining battle with Harley Reid, while Josh Kelly (27 and two goals) and Xavier O'Halloran (27 and two) cashed in with big games.

The midfield won the clearance battle 40-31, giving the GIANTS a 68-47 advantage with inside 50s, but it was their ability to burst from the back half and outwork their opponents that shone through.

It was a disappointing night for the Eagles, who had performed so well early against Collingwood last week but found themselves exposed early on Friday night after a six-day break.

Defender Reuben Ginbey continued an excellent season, getting the better of taller opponent Aaron Cadman, while Reid worked hard for his 24 disposals and seven clearances. Ruck Matt Flynn was impressive in the air around the ground.

The alarm bells were ringing early for West Coast, with Callaghan's smother at the opening centre bounce creating a goal for Darcy Jones just 15 seconds into the game after a rapid chain of handballs.

It was the first of four straight goals in a 15-minute burst as the GIANTS raced to a 26-point lead before the Eagles had scored, with Jamie Cripps finally getting the home team off the marks with a classy snap from the pocket.

The GIANTS looked energised after their bye and were able to work hard back into defence and then explode on the spread when they won the ball back as Callaghan, O'Halloran and Kelly sliced through the midfield.

The Eagles worked hard through the middle stages and competed at ground level, but their last kick inside 50 was an issue and they entered the main break with just one mark inside 50 and trailing by 35 points.

The GIANTS put the game to bed in the third term, kicking five of six goals to se out the quarter with a 55-point lead, with Kelly's two goals for the quarter reward for the tireless running he had produced alongside Callaghan all night.

Reid Vs The Green(e)s

Harley Reid played a combative game on Friday night and he found willing opponents in Tom Green and Toby Greene, getting involved in skirmishes with both. He drew Greene's attention in the first quarter after slinging Ryan Angwin to ground in a tackle, with Greene following up with a high fend off when the opportunity presented at the next contest. Green was ever present as an opponent at stoppages, with both swinging arms at different stages in an entertaining duel. Harley for his troubles finished with 24 disposals, seven clearances and seven tackles, continuing a workmanlike block of form that has seen competing hard through the midfield.  

Kid With The Lid

GIANTS' speedster Darcy Jones was back in his home state and had his own fan club in the forward pocket, with a group of helmeted GIANTS fans making their love known for the 'kid with the lid'. Jones didn't let them down, producing an excellent performance and finishing with two goals, six inside 50s and 17 disposals. His work-rate to push into the back half and then bolt forward was outstanding, sprinting more than 100m in the third quarter to present for a handball receive in the goalsquare. The 21-year-old had chances to convert for a bigger night but didn't take them, finishing with 2.2.  

WEST COAST                                     1.0    3.1   5.2     8.4 (52)   
GIANTS                                         5.3   8.6   13.9   16.15 (111)

GOALS

West Coast: Shanahan 2, Baker, Cripps, Graham, Hutchinson, Ryan, B.Williams
GIANTS: Greene 3, Cadman 2, Jones 2, Kelly 2, Bedford, Brown, Callaghan, O'Halloran, Riccardi, Stringer

BEST

West Coast: Ginbey, Flynn, Shanahan, Duggan, McCarthy, Reid
GIANTS: Callaghan, Kelly, Greene, Green, O'Halloran, Jones, Angwin

INJURIES

West Coast: Nil
GIANTS: Jack Buckley (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES

West Coast: Malakai Champion (replaced Jack Williams at half time)
GIANTS: Harvey Thomas (replaced Jack Buckley in the third quarter)

Crowd: 38,152 at Optus Stadium