The GANTS will enter the Cattery looking to upset the home side on their home turf for a fifth straight time.
AFL Round 9
Cats v GIANTS
Sunday, May 11 at 3:20pm
GMHBA Stadium | Wadawurrung Country
What It Means For The GIANTS
The GIANTS (4-4) will enter Geelong confident that they can regain their best form despite some inconsistency across four quarters which has seen them lose their last three games.
While many sides fear the task of taking on the Cats at their fortress of GMHBA Stadium, the GIANTS will enter enemy territory with fond memories and a remarkably strong record, having won the last four clashes between the sides at GMHBA Stadium dating back to 2019.
Despite their loss to the Swans last weekend the GIANTS showed glimpses of their best football for much of the clash, with Adam Kingsley’s side overcoming a slow start to dominant the middle portion of the match before ultimately falling short by 14 points.
With positive signs to build on, the GIANTS will enter Geelong buoyed by the performances of some of their stars, with gun midfielders Tom Green (34 disposals) and Finn Callaghan (33 disposals) starring against the Swans, while the performance of young key forward Aaron Cadman (12 disposals, six marks, two goals) was exciting as he continues to show he’s the future of the club’s forward line.
While taking down the Cats at home is one of the toughest tasks in football, the GIANTS will be hoping they can keep their rare streak at GMHBA Stadium alive on Sunday in a clash in which they’ll celebrate Tom Green’s 100th AFL game.
The Opposition
The Cats (5-3) will welcome the GIANTS to town off the back off their most impressive win of the season after taking down Collingwood by three points in a thriller at the MCG last week.
Down for most of the game, the Cats dominated territory in the final term and converted it onto the scoreboard to snatch the lead and hold on for an epic 13.12 (90) to 12.15 (87) win as Collingwood’s Jack Crisp missed a game-winning set shot after the final siren.
Geelong will enter Sunday’s huge clash with several of its stars firing, with recruit Bailey Smith (34 disposals, one goal) and skipper Patrick Dangerfield (29 disposals, one goal) in particular leading the way in the impressive win over the Pies.
Winners of four of their last five games, the Cats will be hoping their strong form can see them overcome the GIANTS’ great record at GMHBA Stadium and avoid losing five straight games to the orange tsunami at the venue.
The Cats could be strengthened by two key inclusions on Sunday, with Tom Stewart (knee) and Gryan Miers (concussion) both tests this week as they look to return to face the GIANTS.
Recent History
The GIANTS hold a 3-2 advantage over the Cats in the last five meetings and a remarkable 4-0 record in the last four clashes at GMHBA Stadium.
The two most recent matchups saw the GIANTS register a thrilling four-point win in round 11 last year at GMHBA Stadium and before that a stirring seven-point win at the same venue in round 11 in 2023.
In last year’s epic win, the Cats clawed their way back from 31 points down in the third quarter to hit the lead in the final term before a Toby Greene goal and some game-saving marks from Leek Aleer saw the GIANTS hold on for an epic 11.12 (78) to 11.8 (74) win.
Key Match Up: Idun v Dangerfield
Sunday’s clash could see a mouth-watering matchup of Connor Idun and Cats’ skipper Patrick Dangerfield going head-to-head.
One of the league’s most reliable and dynamic mid-sized defenders, Idun continues to put his name in All-Australian contention with a brilliant season to date down back for the GIANTS.
On the other side, Dangerfield will face the GIANTS following his best game in recent memory after willing his side to victory over Collingwood last week with a best-on-ground display.
Both supreme athletes possessing elite speed and power, a battle between Idun and Dangerfield would be worth the price of admission alone and if it eventuates could play a major say in who comes away with victory on Sunday afternoon.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Toby Greene
GIANTS skipper Toby Greene will likely strike fear into the eyes of many Geelong fans on Sunday after several match-winning performances against the Cats in recent times.
Greene has starred in both of the last two wins against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium, with Greene kicking the match-winning goal in last year’s win to finish with 24 disposals and two goals, while in the prior win he also starred with four goals and 19 disposals as he celebrated his 200th game with a seven-point win.
With his side looking to bounce back and return to the winner’s list, don’t be surprised if it’s the GIANTS skipper who stands up on Sunday.
In The Mix
With the club’s VFL side undefeated, several players in the second-tier competition continue to push their claims for AFL selection.
Click here to get a recap of last week’s VFL win, where the likes of Harry Rowston and draftees Cody Angove and Jack Ough led the way.
Meanwhile a few GIANTS will face fitness tests later in the week in their bid to play on Sunday. Check out the Rehab Report below for more information.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their extended squad to take on the Cats at 6:20pm on Thursday via gwsgiants.com.au and announce the final team of 23 at 5pm on Friday.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
Where To Watch
The GIANTS’ clash with the Cats will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on 7mate and 7plus from 3pm, as well as live nationally on Fox Sports 3, Kayo, and Binge from 3pm.
