The first week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations will see the GIANTS look to ensure the Eagles aren’t flying high at Optus Stadium.
AFL - Round 10
Eagles v GIANTS
Sunday, May 17 at 6:15pm AEST | 4:15pm AWST
Optus Stadium | Whadjuk Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
After a slow start to the season the GIANTS will be hoping their gritty win over the Bombers can help ignite a mid-season surge they’ve often produced under Adam Kingsley across his first three seasons.
Kingsley’s side will fly west sitting at 4-5 on the season and aiming for consecutive wins for the first time this year in what's been an inconsistent start to their 2026 campaign.
While it took them much longer than they would have hoped, the GIANTS finally found their groove in the second half against the Bombers over the weekend which saw them storm home to register a gutsy 14-point win at ENGIE Stadium.
Down by four goals midway through the third term after being clearly beaten in the territory and inside 50 battle, the GIANTS flicked a switch from there as they went on to kick 10 of the final 13 goals of the game to surge to an important win.
A host of GIANTS will enter Sunday’s clash in red-hot form following the win over Essendon, with Lachie Whitfield (35 disposals), Finn Callaghan (30 disposals, six clearances), Clayton Oliver (26 disposals, 11 clearances), Connor Idun (23 disposals), and Toby Greene (18 disposals, three goals) leading the way.
The Opposition
While clearly in a rebuilding phase, there is much to like about the young and talented Eagles side who will continue to present challenges to teams in 2026.
Already with two wins this season, the Eagles will be looking to cause an upset at home on Sunday against the visiting GIANTS.
Going by the name Waalitj Marawar this week in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Eagles will enter Sunday’s clash following an admirable 32-point loss to the Demons at Marvel Stadium.
Down by 25 to the fast-starting Demons at quarter-time, the Eagles scored 8.11 (59) to Melbourne’s 10.6 (66) from there to show plenty of strong signs at a venue they’ve notoriously struggled at in recent years.
One of those strong signs – and one in which the GIANTS will need to be very mindful of on Sunday – was the form of star forward Jake Waterman who finished with 15 disposals, 3.5, and 13 score involvements against the Dees.
Others to impress were star mid-season draft recruit Tom McCarthy (30 disposals), talented SSP signing Milan Murdoch (25 disposals), and young gun Harley Reid (21 disposals, five clearances, one goal).
Recent History
While the Eagles have the wood over the GIANTS in the all-time head-to-head battle (leading 10-8 in their 18 games), recent history has favoured the GIANTS who have won four of the last five games by an average margin of 64 points.
The most recent clash came at Optus Stadium in round 17 last year where the GIANTS got off to a flyer to lead by 27 points at quarter-time on their way to a comfortable 16.15 (111) to 8.4 (52) win.
Finn Callaghan put on a masterclass in the win, registering a career-high 37 disposals to pick up the three Brownlow votes.
Toby Greene (18 disposals, three goals) and Xavier O’Halloran (27 disposals, two goals) picked up the remaining Brownlow votes for their starring performances.
Key Match Up: Toby v Harley
Sunday’s clash could see two of the league’s most talented – and at times fiery – stars go head-to-head in the middle of Optus Stadium.
GIANTS skipper Toby Greene and Eagles young gun Harley Reid are some of the most watchable players in the game and what a treat for footy fans it would be if the pair lined up opposed to each other on Sunday.
The pair will both enter Sunday’s game in strong form, with Greene one of the GIANTS best in the win over the Bombers with 18 disposals and three goals, while Reid finished with 24 disposals, five clearances, and a goal in the loss to the Dees.
After some entertaining moments between the duo in the past – including a big hit from Greene on Reid last season – who knows what Sunday will present.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Brent Daniels
Daniels continues to remind the footy world what a special talent he is after a rough run with injury over the last 18 months.
Featuring in just six games last season due to persistent injuries, Daniels missed the start of the 2026 season with an unrelated hamstring injury but has since featured in four games where he’s wasted no time showcasing the class and x-factor that make him one of the league’s most dangerous half forwards.
Daniels will enter Sunday’s clash with the Eagles following a starring performance against the Bombers last week, with the 27-year-old finishing with 17 disposals, six score involvements, and two brilliant goals in the win.
As he slowly builds some continuity in his football, Daniels will be hoping for another strong outing against the Eagles on Sunday.
In The Mix:
If the GIANTS decide to make any changes to their winning side then there are several players performing well in the VFL, with Callum Brown, untried midfielder Jack Ough, and utility Conor Stone among those pressing their claims for AFL selection.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their squad to take on the Eagles on Thursday at 6:20pm and then their final team on Friday at 5pm at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
