The GIANTS will look to cause a power outage in Canberra on Saturday as they clash with an under-siege Port Adelaide.
AFL Round 13
GIANTS v Power
Saturday, June 7 at 7:35pm
Corroboree Group Oval Manuka | Ngunnawal Country
What It Means For The GIANTS
The GIANTS (7-5) will descend on the nation’s capital in search of three straight wins following their emotionally-charged victory over the Tigers at ENGIE Stadium last week.
Fuelled by a three-quarter-time address from club legend Callan Ward – who earlier in the game suffered an emotional season-ending ACL injury – the GIANTS kicked five unanswered final-quarter goals against Richmond to register a gutsy three-point comeback win.
Despite a loss to the Dockers at ENGIE Stadium in round 10, the GIANTS have now won three of their last four games and can solidify their spot inside the top eight with victory over the Power in Canberra.
While only time will tell what impact the loss of the inspirational Ward will have on the GIANTS, they could be buoyed by the potential return of star forward Brent Daniels for Saturday’s clash.
Missing since the club’s round four win over the Eagles, the dynamic Daniels will hope to prove his fitness at main training on Thursday in order to take on the Power.
As they look for consistency in what’s been somewhat of a roller-coaster season so far, the GIANTS can take comfort in their recent record in Canberra ahead of Saturday’s clash, with Adam Kingsley’s side winning four of its last five games at the venue.
Saturday’s clash will have extra meaning for a trio of GIANTS, with head coach Adam Kingsley and assistant coaches Brett Montgomery and Jason Davenport up against their former sides.
The coaching trio played a combined 324 games in Power colours, with Kingsley and Montgomery a part of Port Adelaide’s 2004 premiership side.
The Opposition
Port Adelaide (4-7) will enter Saturday’s clash in dire need of a win and fresh off a bye following four straight defeats.
Sitting at 4-3 at round seven, Port has since lost its last four games by an average margin of 55 points to now sit three games outside the top eight in 15th place.
With pressure mounting throughout longtime coach Ken Hinkley’s last season in charge, the Power will be hoping a week off can reenergise their side as they look to rebound from a horror last month and keep their finals prospects alive.
If the Power are to win on Saturday then they’ll need to turn around their poor road record so far this season and channel the energy shown in round six when they upset the Swans by eight points at the SCG, with that win Port Adelaide’s only win away from home this season in five attempts.
After looking back to their electrifying best in round nine despite a close loss to the third-placed Crows in an epic Showdown, the Power have since let themselves down with a 76-point loss to Geelong at Adelaide Oval and a 49-point loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium prior to last week’s bye.
Looking to avoid their fifth straight loss and fall further from the top eight, Saturday’s meeting with the GIANTS is a crucial clash in the context of the Power’s season.
Recent History
While the Power hold a 3-2 advantage over the GIANTS in the last five meetings, the two losses have come in the last two meetings between the teams, with the GIANTS aiming for a third straight win over Ken Hinkley’s side on Saturday.
The two most recent clashes saw the GIANTS beat the Power by 22 points at ENGIE Stadium in round 14 last year and by 23 points in 2023 which saw the GIANTS end Port Adelaide’s season in cruel fashion in a semi-final at Adelaide Oval.
Saturday’s game will be just the third time the sides have faced off in Canberra and the first time since 2017, with the GIANTS winning the 2017 meeting by 31 points and the 2016 meeting by 86.
Key Match Up: Restricting Rozee!
If the GIANTS are to extend Port Adelaide’s struggles on Saturday then restricting the influence of their skipper Connor Rozee will be crucial to doing so.
Traditionally one of the game’s best midfielders, the dynamic Rozee has been moved to half-back this season where his dash and dare have seen him quickly become one of the AFL’s most damaging weapons out of defence.
Ranked elite in the competition this year for disposals per game (28.9), kicks per game (18.5), meters gained per game (562m), and tackles per game (3.7), Rozee will need to be close-checked by the GIANTS’ forwards on Saturday to ensure he doesn’t get loose and help lead his side to a surprise and crucial victory.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Josh Kelly
GIANTS vice-captain Josh Kelly was a welcome return to the side last week and will be hoping to build on his impressive return in order to help cut out the Power on Saturday.
Playing his first game in more than a month following a hip issue, Kelly wasted no time in showing his value to the side in the gutsy win over Richmond , collecting 20 disposals (at 85 per cent efficiency), eight marks, five inside 50s, four rebound 50s, and five score involvements.
With Callan Ward’s absence, Kelly’s leadership and output will be crucial moving forward in helping guide the GIANTS to a finals spot in their chase of a maiden premiership, with that mission continuing on Saturday against the under-fire Power.
Prior to being sidelined, Kelly averaged 25.3 disposals and 5.6 tackles per game this season, underlining his continued importance to Adam Kingsley’s side.
In The Mix
The GIANTS could be buoyed by the return of star forward Brent Daniels (abdominal) on Saturday if he can get through training on Thursday, while several players continue to put their name in contention through strong form in the VFL.
Click here to get a recap of last week’s VFL clash and who pushed their case for AFL selection.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Power at 6:20pm on Thursday via gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.
Where To Watch
Saturday night’s clash with the Power will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel Seven and 7plus from 7:30pm, as well as live nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo from 7:30pm.
