The GIANTS and the Suns face off for one of the most prestigious honours in football, the Expansion Cup.
AFL ROUND 8
Suns v GIANTS
Sunday, May 3 at 7:20pm
People First Stadium
What It Means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS (3-4) will hit the Gold Coast looking to continue to gather momentum after the return of some key players – and a starring performance from milestone man Toby Greene - helped them take down North Melbourne by seven points over the weekend.
The return of forward trio Aaron Cadman (three goals), Jesse Hogan (15 disposals, six marks, two goals), and Brent Daniels (21 disposals, six clearances, one goal) was particularly crucial to the win as the GIANTS look to kickstart their season after a slow and injury-ravaged beginning to their 2026 campaign.
A key area of last week's win which would have pleased Adam Kingsley as they prepare to take on the Suns was his side's much improved ball use going forward.
Converting inside 50s to scores at an average of 48.5 per cent prior to last week, the GIANTS – no doubt buoyed by the extra class of Cadman, Daniels, and Hogan – upped that to 59 per cent against the Roos – registering 30 scoring shots from their 56 inside 50s: a huge improvement that they’ll be looking to replicate against the Suns this weekend.
With a much healthier list to choose from, the GIANTS are starting to show signs of what their best footy looks like and they’ll be hoping to put them on full display on the Gold Coast on Sunday as they aim to even their ledger for the year to 4-4.
The Opposition
It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride to start the season for the Suns who will be hoping to break an almost five-year drought against the GIANTS this weekend.
After winning their first three games of the year – including a statement 56-point win over the Cats in Opening Round – the Suns have since gone 1-3 over the last month to sit at 4-3 ahead of Sunday’s showdown at People First Stadium.
In their most recent outing the Suns trailed by as much as 46 points in the second term to the Hawks but despite cutting the lead to just nine in the third term they ran out of gas as Hawthorn then cruised to a 49-point win at UTas Stadium.
The Suns have now conceded 100 points in each of their past four games, something they’ll need to address urgently as they prepare for a forward line boasting the likes of Hogan, Cadman, Jake Stringer, and Daniels on Sunday.
Recent History
The GIANTS have won the last six encounters between the leagues’ two youngest sides, dating back to round 17, 2021.
In the most recent clash, in round 23 last season, the GIANTS led from start to finish as they out pressured and outworked the Suns en route to a 35-point win on the Gold Coast.
The GIANTS have also won the last five meetings between the sides on the Gold Coast, having remarkably not lost to the Suns at People First Stadium since round six, 2014.
Key Match Up: From Friends to Foes: Clarry v Trac
Former premiership teammates Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca will meet face to face in their new colours for the first time on Sunday.
Both superstars for the Demons and crucial to their 2021 flag, Oliver and Petracca spent 10 years together and played more than 400 combined games before swapping the red and blue for new threads in 2026.
With both players on fire for their news sides, the pair who once led the Demons to a drought-breaking premiership will now battle it out for more silverware, the Expansion Cup.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Brent Daniels
After being managed against the Swans in round six, Daniels showed in his return against the Kangaroos on the weekend what a difference he makes to the GIANTS.
Spending time across half forward and injected into centre bounce at times, Daniels’ talent was on full display as he collected 21 disposals, six clearances, eight inside 50s, 10 score involvements and a goal in the win.
Daniels’ ability to get higher up the ground and play as a connector between the midfield and the forward line is a key to the GIANTS’ orange tsunami and something the Suns will have to be mindful of on Sunday.
In The Mix:
Thanks to a much cleaner bill of health, the GIANTS have several players pushing their case for AFL selection.
Kieren Briggs, Harry Rowston,Toby McMullin, Callum Brown, Max Gruzewski, Jack Ough, Joey Delana and Conor Stone are just some of the candidates waiting in the wings should an opportunity in the AFL side present itself.
Exciting defender Joe Fonti will also be hoping to regain his place in the AFL side this week after serving his one-game suspension.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their squad to take on the Suns on Thursday at 6:20pm at gwsgiants.com.au, with the final side to be announced on Friday at 5pm.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
