The GIANTS will be out for revenge against the Saints as the sides face off in a crucial ladder-shaping clash at Marvel.
AFL - Round 14
Saints v GIANTS
Sunday, June 14 at 3:15pm
Marvel Stadium | Wurundjeri Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS return from their round 13 bye riding a wave of momentum after putting the league on notice with impressive back-to-back wins over the Lions and the Demons.
Notorious for finding their best form in the back half of the season under Adam Kingsley over the last three season, the GIANTS will again be hoping to surge their way up the ladder after an inconsistent start to their 2026 campaign.
The GIANTS currently sit in 10th spot at 6-6 on the season, with Sunday’s clash presenting a great opportunity to not only keep themselves right in the finals mix, but also help keep the chasing Saints (12th) at bay.
While Kingsley’s side has already fallen to the Saints this season, losing by four points in a round two heartbreaker at ENGIE Stadium, there’s no doubting the GIANTS are better placed this time round following the ultra-impressive wins over Brisbane and Melbourne prior to the bye.
A host of stars have been crucial to the GIANTS’ recent success and they’ll no doubt be just as pivotal to Sunday’s result, with the likes of Finn Callaghan, Clayton Oliver and Lachie Ash all in form worthy of All-Australian consideration, while the breakout campaigns of youngsters Harvey Thomas and Phoenix Gothard have been hugely important.
The Opposition
Fresh off a loss and currently sitting in 12th at 5-8 on the season, the Saints will enter Sunday’s contest after arguably their best performance of the season – pushing the Swans to within the final seconds before a heartbreaking defeat.
Despite being heavy underdogs, the Saints were brilliant at the SCG where they led for almost the entire contest before Swans recruit Jai Serong broke their hearts with a clutch, match-winning goal with less than 20 seconds left to give the Swans a thrilling two-point win.
It was no doubt a tough pill to swallow for the Saints, who were on the verge of claiming their first big scalp of the season after an indifferent start to their campaign.
While falling agonisingly short, the Saints showed that their best can match it with the best and now they will be looking to rebound against a GIANTS side who they have already beaten once this season.
Recent History
While the GIANTS have won four of the last five contests between the sides, their sole loss was the most recent encounter where the Saints held on for a thrilling four-point win in round two this year.
Registering their first win of the season, the Saints kicked seven goals in a row in the middle part of the game to jump out to a 39-point lead, before withstanding a fast-finishing GIANTS side to hang on for an epic 11.12 (78) to 10.14 (74) win at ENGIE Stadium.
Jack Sinclair and Callum Wilkie led the way for the Saints in the win, with Wilkie receiving 10 coaches votes, while Ash and Oliver were the GIANTS’ best.
Key Match Up: Can Snooze Put Nas to Sleep
Reliable utility Toby Bedford is having a strong campaign in his more traditional role as a small forward this season, however, should he be deployed as a tagger then a mouth-watering match up with Saints star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera could be on the cards.
While not utilised in the role as often this season, Bedford returned to his tagging ways in the club’s big win over the Dees prior to the bye, with the 26-year-old doing a fantastic job in nullifying Demons’ star Kysaiah Pickett.
Following his performance, Bedford will no doubt come into consideration for a similar role on Nas, who if not contained could play a huge role in a Saints victory on Sunday.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Jake Stringer
Back in his home state of Victoria, ‘The Package’ will be looking to deliver his friends and family a GIANTS win on Sunday as he hopes to continue his strong season in orange and charcoal.
After kicking 25 goals in 15 games last year in a strong maiden season at the club, Stringer has taken his game to even greater heights in 2026, kicking 24 goals across 12 games in a brilliant campaign to date.
With 11 goals in the last four games, Stringer continues to hit the scoreboard and will no doubt be hoping to perform well once again on Sunday at a venue in which he’s played the vast majority of his career.
In The Mix:
The GIANTS could regain up to three players from injury this week, with Jesse Hogan (hip), Ryan Angwin (hand), and Cody Angove (hamstring) all looking to prove their fitness at Friday’s main training.
Meanwhile a strong contingent continues to push their case through impressive form in the VFL, with Jack Ough, James Leake, and Harry Rowston all brilliant in the VFL’s last clash prior to the bye.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their squad to take on the Saints 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.
