The GIANTS will be looking to tame the young Tiger cubs in an exciting clash in the Barossa for Gather Round.
GIANTS vs Tigers
Sunday, April 12 at 3.15pm AEST/2:45pm ACST
Barossa Park | Njadjuri Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
After three losses in a row, it’s time for another win.
The GIANTS head to Gather Round in 16th spot on the ladder, a place they have not seen since 2024 but with plenty of reason for optimism.
After an unsuccessful late surge against St Kilda in round two, the GIANTS were well and truly in the game against Collingwood but some poor forward connection and kicking for goal had the scoreboard looking otherwise.
With the injury list starting to clear up, selection pressure is coming, and the early stage of the season means the club is only one win away from 8th spot.
Jayden Laverde’s fifth game in orange sees him celebrate 150 career games on Sunday, while Adam Kingsley’s 80th game in charge takes him to 250 games as a player and coach.
The Opposition
The Tigers have had a rough run of late, losing their first four games to open this season on top of their five-loss run at the end of 2025.
Their last win was back in round 20 last season, though they have played some good footy in patches this season before ultimately being overwhelmed.
Like the GIANTS, they have been whacked by injuries to both young and experienced players and probably won’t get a huge amount of relief this week, though Noah Balta and Hugo Ralphsmith are expected to return from minor hamstring and knee complaints.
Their 208cm ruckman Oliver Hayes-Brown had a big game in the VFL, and with Samson Ryan out suspended may earn his first chance at AFL level.
The Tigers struggled to score against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday, not kicking their first goal until late in the second quarter and scoring just six for the game.
Draftee Sam Grlj gave Richmond some speed and run across half back and in the middle, young key forward Liam Fawcett showed promising signs and Maurice Rioli did his best to provide a spark, with Dion Prestia and Tim Taranto also among their best.
Recent History
The GIANTS are on a two-win run against the Tigers, but needed to do some serious work late in last year’s round 13 game to come away with the win.
Down almost all day, the GIANTS kicked five goals to none in the final quarter to win by just three points at ENGIE Stadium.
The run of Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield was critical to the comeback, as was the work of Tom Green in the clinches.
Aaron Cadman and Jake Riccardi kicked two goals each, while Callum Brown scored two of his three goals in the final quarter, including the match-winner.
The GIANTS had a lot of trouble early on with the strength and experience of the Richmond midfield, with Dion Prestia, Jacob Hopper and Taranto helping the Tigers dominate stoppages and clearances.
Tom Lynch was their standout forward, kicking two.
The win was important, but the day was a shattering one, Callan Ward falling to the ground early in what turned out to be the final one of his incredible career.
Key Match Up: Finn Callaghan vs Tim Taranto
Finn Callaghan and Tim Taranto spent just one year together as GIANTS, but will see plenty of each other as Sunday’s midfield battle plays out.
The Richmond midfield dominated clearances last time the two teams met – the Tigers won centre clearances 16-2, led by Taranto, Prestia and another former GIANT in Jacob Hopper.
Callaghan missed that match with a shoulder injury but alongside Clayton Oliver, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Xavier O’Halloran and others will look to stretch the Tigers not only at the coalface but with his speed, power and run.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Harvey Thomas
Clean, tough, smart. Harvey Thomas has embraced his move to the wing this year and has made a case for being not only the GIANTS’ most reliable player in the first four games, but one of the most consistent wingers in the AFL.
Having started out as a hard-working half forward, the GIANTS Academy graduate has found more of the footy than ever in his new role, while also showing a knack for bobbing up and doing the right thing in important moments.
Thomas signed a new two-year contract with the club a few weeks back and is on track to play his 50th match in a few weeks, less than two-and-a-half years into his career.
In The Mix:
The GIANTS could be bolstered by several handy inclusions for Sunday’s clash, with Aaron Cadman, Toby Bedford, and Brent Daniels all back in the mix this week as they face fitness tests to play their first games of the season.
Vice-captain Jack Buckley is also set to return after missing the Pies clash due to concussion.
The VFL team had a bye last week to line up with that of the senior side, but Harry Rowston is ready for a recall if required, Toby McMullin, Conor Stone and Jack Ough have made strong starts to the season, and Nick Madden played his best game for the year so far in the comeback win over Collingwood in the VFL two weeks ago.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their squad to take on the Tigers on Thursday at 6:20pm at gwsgiants.com.au. The final side will then be announced on Friday at 5pm.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
