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 18th-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.
