The GIANTS and Collingwood face off at Morwell Recreation Reserve in round four of the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s competition on Sunday.

With both sides yet to post a win in 2019 and their seasons on the line, Sunday afternoon’s meeting is shaping as one of the most important of the round. 

The two sides face off for the third time in their short histories with the GIANTS having claimed the points in the most recent clash – round three, 2017.

That 13-point win got the GIANTS’ season back on track and they’ll be hoping an inspired win on Saturday can kick-start their 2019 season. A win for either side could catapult them into the top two of Conference B.

Forward Christina Bernardi will face her former side for the first time since joining the GIANTS from Collingwood in the 2018 trade window. 

The 28-year-old was in good form last week kicking two goals against the Blues after being held goalless against the Kangaroos. The Magpies will need to keep a close eye on Bernardi and GIANTS forwards Cora Staunton and Yvonne Bonner.

The Irish duo have looked dangerous so far this season averaging a goal per game, with Staunton averaging 12 disposals per game and Bonner 10 per game. 

Bonner was the GIANTS’ best on ground in their defeat to Carlton last Saturday with the Donegal product kicking a goal of the year contender and racking up 13 touches. Both could be in for a big day if they aren’t watched closely by Collingwood.

Rebecca Beeson has also been in fine form for the GIANTS, averaging a team high 17.7 disposals per game in 2019.

Collingwood could recall ruck Sharni Layton in a bid to combat the GIANTS’ 2018 All Australian ruck Erin McKinnon with the 188cm former netballer able to match the young GIANT for height. 

Another former netballer in Ash Brazill has been especially damaging for Collingwood’s midfield averaging 17.3 disposals per game.

Last Two Meetings:

Round 6, 2017 – Collingwood 7.13 (55) def. GIANTS 3.1 (19) at Olympic Park Oval

Round 3, 2018 – Collingwood 5.5 (35) def. by GIANTS 7.6 (48) at Olympic Park Oval

The Five Points: 

  1. This is the third time the two sides have played in Victoria but the first time away from Olympic Park Oval. The GIANTS are travelling for the first time since round one, while Collingwood are coming off the back of a trip to Western Australia.
  2. Collingwood have averaged a competition low two goals per game in 2019, however they face the third leakiest defence in the competition with the GIANTS conceding an average of seven goals per game this season.
  3. GIANT Tanya Hetherington might not get a lot of the ball but the key defender uses it well. The 33-year-old is ranked second in the AFLW for disposal efficiency at 94 per cent.
  4. GIANT Rebecca Beeson sits amongst the competition’s elite midfielders. The 22-year-old is ranked 11thfor disposals, 11th for contested possessions (averaging 9.7 per game), 7th for clearances (5.3 per game) and 6th for score involvements (4.7 per game).
  5. Erin McKinnon’s dominance in the ruck has improved year on year. The 20-year-old is averaging 4.3 more hit outs per game in 2019 than her 2018 All Australian year.