With bragging rights tucked in their back pockets, the GIANTS travel to Perth to take on the Eagles after a barnstorming win over the Swans.
AFLW ROUND 7
Eagles v GIANTS
Sunday, September 28 at 5:05pm (AEST), 3:05pm (AWST)
Mineral Resources Park, Perth | Whadjuk
What It Means For The GIANTS
The GIANTS secured their first back-to-back wins last Sunday in a show of strength and ability against the Swans.
Delivering the best four-quarter performance in recent memory, the GIANTS laid down a warning to the rest of the NAB AFLW competition and showcased their defensive weapons as well as a host of attacking sources.
With six different goalkickers, the GIANTS showed their ability to find different avenues to goal, especially when opposition pays additional attention to key forward Tarni Evans.
It was a significant win in Georgia Garnett’s milestone game and the first time the GIANTS have had back-to-back victories since the 2021 season.
The GIANTS will hope to continue the momentum cross-country, as they travel to Perth to take on the Eagles, who are looking to rebound from a 51-point loss to Melbourne.
The Opposition
Starting the season well with three wins from their first four games and a NAB Rising Star nomination for their draftee Lucia Painter in round one, the Eagles looked to be on track for their first-ever finals finish.
Yet losses in recent weeks to cross-town rivals the Dockers and a thrashing by Melbourne in blustery conditions have left the Eagles at 3-3 and 13th on the ladder.
In her second season as coach, AFL Hall of Fame inductee Daisy Pearce has changed the Eagles game plan to focus on a front-half heavy game, improving their work inside the arc with increased pressure and a significant improvement in their forward half clearance rates.
While the ‘Daisy Effect’ has earned her plenty of laudation from around the football community, the scoring increase has also laid bare the Eagles’ continued defensive struggles.
The Demons found their way inside 50 almost forty times in their round six win over the Eagles, taking eleven marks in the arc and converting well for ten goals. The match could have been significantly more painful, with the Dees registering 14 behinds in the game.
The GIANTS will look to punish the Eagles’ defensive errors and increase their scoring efficiency to make the most of every entry.
Key Match Up: Disenchanting Ella
An early punter’s pick to finish in the top three of the AFLW Best and Fairest table, the GIANTS will need to quash the impact of Eagles’ star Ella Roberts.
Roberts has been the key to success in the Eagles’ three wins so far this season and has delivered best on ground performances for the team in almost all of the Eagles matches in 2025.
Critical moving the ball inside 50 and clinical in defence with her speed and efficiency, the versatile midfielder is averaging seven tackles and leads the Eagles for score involvements, highlighting her impact at both side of the park.
Her adaptability and coach Daisy Pearce’s freedom to move her around the ground make her a difficult match-up for the GIANTS.
She’s likely to be picked up by defender Katherine Smith, who was diligent in her duty of shutting down Chloe Molloy last week, keeping the competition’s most dangerous forward to just four touches for one behind.
Smith’s increased output in 2025 means she can follow Roberts up the ground, but with Kaitlyn Srhoj also showing her tagging chops to curb the impact of Swans’ midfielder Montana Ham, the GIANTS have plenty of options when it comes to reducing Roberts’ impact.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Grace Martin
Martin has proved a quiet achiever in her first six matches at AFLW level.
Taken with pick 22 of the 2024 NAB AFLW draft, Martin has been a consistent performer at half back, showcasing aerial abilities well above her diminutive stature.
Looking immensely hungry and proving difficult to evade around the 50m line, Martin has been important in minimising avenues into 50 while also displaying great speed and intent in chasing down opposition.
Martin picked up seven intercept possessions in the win over the Swans, showcasing her footy and ability to anticipate play, an important asset in the GIANTS ability to punish the Swans on turnover.
She’ll be looking to increase her impact further against the Eagles and act as a transition weapon to move the ball up-field.
In The Mix
With Grace Kos dealt a disappointing blow through an elbow injury, coach Cam Bernasconi may look to add height to his line-up and aid Eilish O’Dowd in rucking duties. Both Fleur Davies and Vivien Saad shape as possible replacements.
Alicia Eva will also be available for selection following the successful completion of training on Thursday.
With plenty of GIANTS performing strongly at scrimmage level, Bernasconi has the luxury of depth at his disposal through the middle of the park.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their final team to take on the Eagles at 6:20pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.
Where To Watch
Sunday's clash will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on 7Mate and 7plus from 3:00pm (5:00pm AWST), as well as nationally on Fox Sports 3, Kayo and BINGE from 3:00pm.
