When and Where:
Saturday, August 5 at 7:30pm
GIANTS Stadium | Wangal Country
What it Means for the GIANTS:
The GIANTS can consolidate its newfound top eight spot with a win over the Swans, as well create history following last week’s record-breaking seventh straight win.
Despite trailing by 35-points early in the third term against the Western Bulldogs last week, the Orange Tsunami surged home through the brilliance of skipper Toby Greene (five second half goals) to register an epic five-point win.
The come-from-behind win was the first time in the club’s history it has won seven straight matches.
Sitting firmly in sixth spot (11 wins, 8 losses) on the AFL table, the GIANTS will now host 10th placed South Melbourne (9 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw) in Sydney Derby XXVI in what is sure to be a fierce Battle of the Bridge as both sides jostle for a spot in September.
Sitting in unchartered territory, the GIANTS can extend their current club-record winning streak to eight matches with victory over the Swans, as well as further enhancing their chances of September action.
Last Time We Met:
Toby Greene was the hero yet again last time the two sides met in round seven, with the inspirational skipper capping off a fourth quarter comeback with a brilliant match-winning goal inside the final minute.
Trailing by 24-points early in the final term, Greene ignited his side with the first and last goals of the final quarter as the Orange Tsunami stormed home to pull off a remarkable 17.5 (107) to 16.10 (106) win.
Greene kickstarted the comeback with a brilliant soccer goal early in the final term before teammate Harry Perryman kicked two crucial goals to set the stage for the GIANTS skipper to do what he does best.
With the ball locked inside the GIANTS forward 50, Greene pounced on a loose ball in tight congestion before kicking brilliantly around the corner from 40m out to beat the outstretched hand of opposing skipper Callum Mills to give his side a match-winning one-point lead with 42 seconds left.
Greene awarded the Brett Kirk Medal for his heroic 22-disposal, four goal performance.
Tom Green (31 disposals, 13 tackles) and Stephen Coniglio (28 disposals, two goals) were also huge in the win while emerging midfielder Finn Callaghan starred with 26 touches and 10 marks.
Luke Parker was the Swans’ best in the loss, finishing with 33 touches, 11 clearances, and a goal early in the final term.
Where’s the opposition at?
While the GIANTS are grabbing the headlines for their sizzling seven-match winning streak, the Swans are quietly making their own run at a finals spot with some hot form of their own.
The Swans will enter the Battle of the Bridge riding a three-match winning streak following consecutive wins over the Western Bulldogs, Fremantle and Essendon.
In their most recent win, the Swans held off a fast-finishing Bombers outfit to register a trilling 15.11 (101) to 15.9 (99) win at Marvel Stadium.
Errol Gulden (37 disposals, 10 marks) continued his strong form in the win while young key forward Joel Amarti (11 disposals, four goals, seven marks) was the Swans’ most damaging forward.
Sitting in 10th spot on the back of their hot form, a win over the GIANTS on Saturday could see the Swans move inside the top eight if the Western Bulldogs were to lose to Richmond and Geelong fall to Port Adelaide.
Adding extra intrigue to Derby XXVI is how the Swans will respond to the sudden retirement of Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin who brought an end to his illustrious career earlier this week due to a calf injury.
GIANTS Player to Watch:
GIANTS superstar Toby Greene is arguably the hottest player in the AFL right now and will once again look to stand up when needed most against their arch rivals on Saturday night.
Greene will enter the Battle of the Bridge in sizzling form, having polled 10 coaches votes for last week’s match-winning 19 disposal, five-goal effort in the comeback win over the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat.
Sitting on 49 goals heading into the clash, Greene needs just one major against the Swans to register 50 goals in a season for the first time in his career.
Missing key defender Dane Rampe, the Swans have a tough decision to make on who gets first crack at stopping the Greene Machine.
In the Mix:
The GIANTS are likely to receive at least one huge inclusion for the clash with the Swans, with star midfielder Tom Green expected to return from a hamstring strain that has kept him out for the past two weeks.
Green’s inclusions would be massive for the GIANTS, with the 22-year-old inside midfielder in the midst of a career best season, averaging 31.1 disposals, 5.7 clearances, and 5.2 tackles per game.
Green could be joined in the side by the return of gun key forward Jesse Hogan, who is listed as a test in his bid to overcome a groin injury.
Hogan, who along with Green has missed the past two games, has kicked 29 goals this season to be an integral part of the GIANTS’ front half.
VFL:
GIANTS v Swans
Saturday, August 5 at 1:35pm
Darug Country | Blacktown International Sportspark
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead Saturday’s clash with South Melbourne here.
Where to watch:
Saturday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on Channel 7 in NSW and the ACT from 7.30pm.
