The GIANTS will be looking to bounce back to their brilliant best in a game critical to their chances of playing in September.
AFL Round 22
GIANTS v Kangaroos
Sunday, August 10 at 1:40pm
Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka | Ngunnawal Country
What It Means For The GIANTS
After a poor showing against the Dogs it’s crunch time for the GIANTS on Sunday as they fight to remain inside the eight in a clash with the Kangaroos in Canberra.
With nine sides battling it out for eight finals spots and just three rounds remaining, Sunday’s game looms as a must-win for the GIANTS and their hopes of playing finals for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons.
Currently sitting 8th and just one game ahead of the ninth-placed Dogs, the GIANTS will find themselves outside of the eight after this weekend if they are to fall to the Kangaroos and the Dogs beat the Demons on Sunday.
Crucial to a win on Sunday will be the return of the GIANTS’ orange tsunami style of football, with their famed pressure and speedy ball movement a no-show against the Dogs last week as they fell by 88 points in their most disappointing performance of the season.
Eager to turn things around, the GIANTS will be hoping for a much-improved performance in the contest against the Kangaroos on Sunday after losing contested possessions (86 v 137) and clearances (24 v 41) by huge margins to the Dogs last week.
With their finals hopes likely on the line, the GIANTS will be buoyed by a major inclusion in Sunday’s clash, with skipper Toby Greene ready and raring to go after sitting out the game against the Dogs through suspension.
With a tough game against the Suns on the Gold Coast and a final round clash with the Saints at home to round out the season, Sunday’s meeting with North Melbourne looms as a danger game for the GIANTS and one they almost must win if they’re to play finals in 2025.
The Opposition
North Melbourne will enter Sunday’s game more than capable of an upset win over the GIANTS despite sitting 17th on the ladder following a tough season so far.
Despite registering just four wins and a draw from their 20 games to date, the Roos have still shown at times that their best can trouble some of the league’s top sides.
Highlighted by their draw with the reigning premiers Brisbane back in round nine and a strong effort against Collingwood for three quarters in round 11, the Roos have shown that their young core – with the aid of some crucial veterans – has enough talent to cause headaches for even the best sides on the day.
In their most recent outing the Kangaroos jumped out to an early 14-point quarter-time lead against the Saints before being overrun and falling 10.9 (69) to 11.12 (78) at Marvel Stadium last week.
Now turning their attention to the GIANTS in search of win number five for the season, the Roos will be hoping some of their young stars can continue their impressive form shown against the Saints last week, with Colby McKercher (36 touches, 642m gained, one goal), Harry Sheezel (33 touches, one goal), Luke Davies-Uniacke (21 touches, one goal), and George Wardlaw (17 touches, one goal) all impressing in the close loss to St. Kilda.
While finals are out of the equation for the Roos, Sunday’s clash provides their young squad a huge opportunity to play party pooper and put a major dent in the GIANTS’ finals aspirations.
Recent History
It’s been more than five years since the GIANTS last loss to the Kangaroos, with a 20-point defeat at ENGIE Stadium in round two, 2020 the last time the GIANTS fell to North Melbourne.
Since then, an epic draw in Hobart in 2021 has been followed by three straight GIANTS wins by an average of more than six goals.
In the most recent clash between the sides – in round one, 2024 – the GIANTS led from start to finish to register a comfortable 39-point win at ENGIE Stadium.
Key Match Up: Midfields
A crucial midfield battle will play a pivotal role in who leaves Canberra with the four points on Sunday.
The GIANTS’ engine room will be raring to go and looking to bounce back to its best against North Melbourne after being soundly beaten by the Dogs around the footy last week.
Led by two young stars Tom Green and Finn Callaghan – both of whom are having All-Australian calibre seasons – the GIANTS will be up against a talented Kangaroo midfield featuring impressive youngsters Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw, as well as experienced duo Luke Davies-Uniacke and Luke Parker.
With both midfields featuring a blend of exciting youth and experience, the winner of the exciting midfield matchup is sure to have a major say in Sunday’s result.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Toby Greene
GIANTS skipper Toby Greene will return to the lineup this week looking to lead the side to an important finals-shaping win over the Roos.
Having missed last week through suspension, Greene will be eager to help the side recover from their poor showing against the Dogs and return to the form that saw them win six straight prior to last week’s loss.
One of the league’s best big game players, the stage is set for a starring performance from the GIANTS skipper as they look to keep their finals push alive.
In The Mix
There’ll be at least one change for the GIANTS this week with the return of skipper Toby Greene as well as the unfortunate season-ending syndesmosis injury to Toby McMullin in last week’s game against the Dogs.
Several GIANTS continue to play well for the club’s VFL side and will be sure to come into AFL consideration, with James Leake and Jacob Wehr the standouts in last week’s VFL clash with Footscray.
Click here for a recap of the VFL clash against Footscray.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their squad to take on the Kangaroos at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au and then the final team on Friday at 5pm.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
Where To Watch
Sunday’s clash will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel 7 and 7plus from 1:30pm, as well as nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo from 1:30pm.
