The GIANTS will celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round at home when they welcome the reigning back-to-back premiers to ENGIE Stadium.
AFL - Round 11
GIANTS v Lions
Sunday, May 24 at 12:30pm
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS’ rollercoaster season continued last weekend with a tough 17-point loss to the Eagles and now they’ll be given a chance to respond in emphatic fashion with the opportunity to take down the league’s best side across the last two seasons.
While coming off a disappointing performance at Optus Stadium, if there’s one thing the GIANTS have often done under Adam Kingsley’s reign, it’s respond.
Back at home at ENGIE Stadium, the GIANTS will be hoping one of the strengths of their game can return, with their ability to transition the footy from the back half and turn it into scores not at their usual high level in the loss to the Eagles.
A key to their transition will be the ability to get two of their prime movers more involved this week, with the Eagles able to nullify the impact of both Finn Callaghan (19 disposals) and Lachie Whitfield (21 disposals) through heavy tags.
Meanwhile the likes of Clayton Oliver (38 disposals, 12 clearances), Lachie Ash (34 disposals), and Harvey Thomas (25 disposals, one goal) will be hoping to continue their stellar form against the Lions after strong outings against West Coast.
Sitting at 4-6 as the halfway mark of the season approaches, the GIANTS need to find their mojo soon- starting with Sunday against the Lions – if they’re to contend once again and make their ninth finals series in the past 11 years.
The Opposition
The Lions will also be looking for a response on Sunday after the reigning premiers were comprehensively beaten on their home deck last week with a 41-point loss to Geelong at the Gabba.
Billed as a heavyweight title rematch of last year’s grand final, the Lions were knocked to the canvas in the third term thanks to a five-goal onslaught from the Cats who blew the game open to run out 17.15 (117) to 11.10 (76) winners.
Lacking their usual spark against the Cats, the Lions will be hoping they can return to their roaring best this week.
Sitting in seventh spot at 6-4 on the season, the Lions are yet to hit their best form this season but there’s a reason they’re they’ve won the last two flags, and they’ll be aiming to showcase just why at ENGIE Stadium on Sunday.
The Lions could be bolstered by the return of star defender Dayne Zorko (managed) on Sunday after he was a late out against Geelong last week.
Recent History
There’s been some epic contests between the sides in recent years, including a remarkable Semi-Final comeback win to the Lions in 2024 and a thrilling 11-point GIANTS victory at the Gabba the last time the teams met in round 14 last year.
While Jesse Hogan kicked six in that most recent encounter, it was Aaron Cadman who stole the show with five majors of his own to assert himself as one of the league’s most exciting young forwards.
The GIANTS were deadly accurate in the win, kicking 17.5 (107) to the Lions’ 13.18 (96).
Whitfield (33 disposals) and Callaghan (32 disposals), two who were down on their usual output last week, were the leading ball winners in the win.
Key Match Up: Charlie v The Font
There’s no doubting that Charlie Cameron is a barometer for Brisbane and a key to Chris Fagan’s side when they’re up and firing.
Despite their loss to the Cats last week, Cameron played his part to perfection, finishing with 14 disposals, eight score involvements, and three goals.
A likely match up for the dangerous speedster this week is Joe Fonti who continues to excel in stopping some of the league’s most damaging forwards.
While the Lions possess a host of talented small to medium forwards – such as Zac Bailey, Kai Lohmann and Cam Rayner – stopping their cult hero in Cameron could go a long way to the GIANTS taking down the defending premiers.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Harry Oliver
Young defender Harry Oliver’s stellar VFL form was rewarded with an AFL debut against the Eagles and the teenager certainly looked right at home.
A reliable medium defender with a silky left foot, Oliver’s composure and willingness to chase and compete were both evident from the get-go in a strong debut showing.
Oliver’s big moment came in the second term when he received a handball 55m from goal and calmly waltzed by two Eagles defenders before slotting a classy goal on the run for his first AFL major.
If he’s able to retain his spot this week then Oliver is one to watch as he looks to build on his exciting debut performance.
In The Mix:
If the GIANTS decide to make any changes to their side, then there’s a host of players performing well in the VFL, with Ollie Hannaford, Callum Brown, and Jack Ough leading the way in the club’s thrilling VFL win last weekend.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their squad to take on the Lions 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.
