The GIANTS’ push towards September continues as they look to create history with a win over the Bombers in primetime footy.
AFL ROUND 18
Bombers v GIANTS
Thursday, July 17 at 7:30pm
Marvel Stadium | Wurundjeri
What It Means For The GIANTS
With four straight wins the orange tsunami is beginning to surge at the right time of year and now the GIANTS will look to achieve something they’ve not done in nine years: beat the Bombers at Marvel Stadium.
While only having met three times at the venue since then - in 2019, 2023, and 2024 – Essendon has been victorious in all three prior meetings under the roof at Docklands.
The GIANTS will look to break their Marvel Stadium hoodoo following a red-hot month of footy which has seen them reassert themselves as one of the league’s top sides, with impressive wins over fellow premiership contenders Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Geelong in that stretch.
Following last week’s statement 26-point win over Geelong, the GIANTS will be hoping to carry over their momentum into Thursday’s game, with emerging key forward Aaron Cadman further cementing his status as a star of the future with a match-winning performance against the Cats.
Just 12 hours before the announcement that he’d signed a new four-year extension with the club, Cadman tormented the Cats in a brilliant best-on-ground display to finish with 15 disposals, eight marks, and a new career-high six goals.
Cadman had a host of teammates helping lead the way against the Cats who will be hoping to continue their strong form on Thursday against the Bombers, with Finn Callaghan (29 touches), Lachie Whitfield (32 touches), and Jake Stringer (four goals) all starring against Geelong.
Currently sitting seventh at 11-6 on a logjammed ladder, Thursday’s clash looms as a must-win danger game for the GIANTS who need to win to continue their finals push with just six rounds remaining.
The Opposition
The Bombers (14th, 6-10) will enter Thursday’s clash looking to defy their growing injury list with an upset win over the GIANTS.
There’s no hiding there’s an injury crisis at the Bombers but Brad Scott will be hoping his side can rise to the occasion of Thursday night footy and continue their three-match unbeaten streak against the GIANTS at Marvel Stadium.
Essendon will be aiming to end a difficult stretch on Thursday after losing their last six games as their injury list continues to grow.
Despite their struggles, the Bombers should not be taken lightly on Thursday after challenging one of the league’s top sides for three quarters just a fortnight ago before dropping away in the fourth term to go down to the Suns by 41 points.
While they were unable to keep up with the Suns for four quarters, the Bombers played some brilliant football for the opening three terms to trail by just three points at the final change before running out of steam in the final quarter.
Not given a chance by many outsiders due to their extensive injury list, the Bombers will be out with a point to prove against the GIANTS on Thursday as they search for their first win since round 11.
Recent History
Despite the difference in their standings, the GIANTS will enter Thursday’s game having beaten the Bombers just once in the last three meetings, with both losses coming at Marvel Stadium where the club is yet to beat the Bombers since 2016.
In the most recent clash, the Bombers claimed a 20-point win at Marvel Stadium to spoil Callan Ward’s 300th game in round nine last year.
Down by 22 points in the second term, the Bombers kicked nine of the next 12 goals to set up a gutsy 12.10 (82) to 9.8 (62) win at home.
In a much more positive result for the GIANTS, the sole win they have against the Bombers in the past three meetings was a record-breaking result, with Adam Kingsley’s side creating club history with the GIANTS’ highest-ever score (162) and highest-ever winning margin (126), with a massive 25.12 (162) to 5.6 (36) win at ENGIE Stadium in round 23, 2023.
Key Match Up: Skipper v Stopper
While missing a host of key players through injury, the Bombers are still being led valiantly by star skipper Zach Merrett who will be crucial to the Bombers’ chances of an upset win on Thursday night.
Amid an All-Australian calibre season, Merrett will enter the game following another strong performance after collecting 31 disposals, six clearances, and seven inside 50s in last week’s loss to the Tigers.
With his silky skills crucial to the Bombers’ ball movement, Merrett could be in for an intriguing battle with Toby Bedford if the GIANTS elect to tag the Essendon skipper on Thursday night.
While Bedford has nullified a long list of the game’s stars over the past 18 months, he hasn’t been utilised as a full-time tagger in recent weeks, with Adam Kingsley stating on Tuesday that he’s still unsure whether to unleash Bedford on Merrett this week or elect to allow the clubs’ midfields to go head-to-head.
However, if the GIANTS do elect to tag Merrett on Thursday then expect a fascinating matchup between the Bombers’ brilliant skipper and one of the league’s best stoppers.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Jake Stringer
An intriguing subplot of Thursday night’s game will be the performance of Jake Stringer who will face off with his former side for the first time.
Traded to the GIANTS in the summer after seven seasons, 123 games, and 207 goals in red and black, Stringer had an interrupted start to his time as a GIANT through illness and injury but has hit his straps in recent weeks and will be eager to continue his hot form against his former side on Thursday night.
Showing exactly why the club traded for him, Stringer will meet his former side after two starring performances during the last three games, with the dynamic forward kicking two brilliant clutch goals to help the GIANTS beat the Suns in round 15 before adding four more majors to his season tally in a dazzling display against Geelong last week.
Forever the showman, there’s no doubt Stringer will be looking to put on a show against his former side under the bright lights on Thursday night.
In The Mix
At least two spots are up for grabs in Thursday’s side after Adam Kingsley revealed on Tuesday that star duo Jesse Hogan and Josh Kelly will both be managed against the Bombers.
Vice-captain Stephen Coniglio is a leading candidate to return to the AFL side this week after two successful return games in the VFL following his 13-week layoff with a glute injury.
Max Gruzewski, James Leake, Toby McMullin, and Jacob Wehr are others likely to come into consideration.
Click here for a recap of last week’s VFL game and who pressed their claims for AFL selection.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Bombers at 6:20pm on Wednesday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Thursday’s match here.
Where To Watch
The GIANTS’ clash with the Bombers will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel 7 and 7plus from 7pm, as well as nationally on Fox Footy, Binge, and Kayo from 7pm.
