The GIANTS will meet the Blues in a Sunday afternoon clash at Ikon Park, their last away match for the 2025 season.
AFLW ROUND 11
Blues v GIANTS
Sunday, October 26 at 3:05pm
Ikon Park, Melbourne | Wurundjeri
What It Means For The GIANTS
A heart wrenching last-quarter loss to the Dockers has left the GIANTS with everything to play for in their last two matches of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season.
Having lead Fremantle at each of the breaks, the GIANTS dropped the final quarter 1.0 to 3.1 to eventually lose by seven points in devastating fashion, having been in impressive form at both ends of the park but struggling to affect the contest in the middle throughout the match.
Though they enjoyed more time with the football live in hand, the GIANTS lost the contested possession count by 32 as Fremantle’s hard ball getting and aerial advantage won out on the day.
It leaves the GIANTS chasing two wins from their last two matches of the season to register their best win-loss record since the league expanded to include all 18 AFL teams in 2022, and put themselves back into the finals frame for next year.
A win over the Blues this weekend would also come in amidst the personal achievement of Tarni Evans, the defender-cum-forward who will line up for her 50th AFLW game as a GIANT on Sunday.
The Opposition
Desperately hoping to hang on to their spot in the eight after a drop of form in recent weeks, the Blues have been one of the best improved sides of 2025 and are seeking their first spot in the AFLW finals series since the Covid-interrupted season of 2020.
Rejigging their list and focusing on height and strength, the Blues built on their attacking strength ahead of the season commencement. Adding Poppy Scholz (draft), Sophie McKay (father-daughter draftee) and Tara Bohanna (trade, Gold Coast Suns) to their list, the latter two recruits have paired to become their most damaging attacking assets of 2025.
With their surnames already household ones before stepping foot on field, both McKay and Scholz have added to their families' reputations, with each earning a Rising Star nomination in impressive starts to their AFLW careers.
The GIANTS and Blues have already had a taste for each other's playing style, fighting out a pre-season battle in brutal conditions at Blacktown International Sportspark back in August.
Now with ten games under their belt, the new-look Blues have impressed with their aerial marking ability and contested game, two areas in which the GIANTS will be looking to improve upon this week.
They’ll be without key midfielder Mimi Hill and are currently sweating on the fitness of leading scorer Tara Bohanna, who is a test to play after being rested across the previous two rounds with a foot injury.
Key Match Up: McKay v McCormick
A battle on the GIANTS halfback line shapes as a sizzle point for the match, with both Blues’ utility Sophie McKay and GIANTS’ rebounding defender Cambridge McCormick in faultless form.
McKay has swung from full forward all the way into the midfield across the season but has proved most damaging when deployed at half back. With both speed and aerial ability to her name, two traits that McCormick has displayed in abundance across the GIANTS’ 2025 season, McKay has become one of the Blues best attacking weapons just ten games into her AFLW career.
McCormick will be hoping to diminish the Blues and McKay’s ability to mark inside 50, which they’re averaging 6.2 a game, with her pack crashing skills, while also being a transition asset with her quick movement out of contest.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Tarni Evans
A leader on and off the field, Tarni Evans is one of the most versatile athletes and competitive beasts in the GIANTS’ ten season history.
Originally from Tathra on the NSW South Coast, Evans moved to Canberra at 16 to pursue her dream of playing at AFLW level, a bold and courageous move, one that both paid off and reflected the key traits of her playing style.
Fearless in contests, she was originally touted for her intercept marking abilities and speed in transition as a defender but a lethal left kick has seen her push up the park over the last 18 months, a move orchestrated by head coach Cam Bernasconi that in 2025 has delivered him a new leading goal scorer.
Evans has also spent time around the ball this year, deployed as an on-baller when the GIANTS are looking for more grunt in contests, with Evans tackling abilities and intent to step in often providing important impact in the centre.
One of the most-loved members of the GIANTS playing group, Evans reaches 50 games at AFLW level against the Blues and will do so with the same fervour and ferocity with which she approaches every game in the orange and charcoal.
In The Mix
Alicia Eva’s interrupted season has been bought to an unfortunate end with the veteran ruled out for the last two games of the season. Viv Saad shapes as a potential replacement, with Cam Bernasconi having the option to add height and contest ability to his side.
Midfielder Claire Ransom has also been performing consistently at AFLW scrimmage and could come into the team for her first match of the 2025 season.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name an extended squad on Thursday night before releasing their final team to take on the Blues at 5pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday's match here.
Where To Watch
Sunday’s clash will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on 7Mate and 7plus from 3pm, as well as nationally on Fox Sports 3, Kayo and BINGE from 3pm.
