The GIANTS will be looking to stop the Blues in their tracks as the club celebrates the diversity of our community and across our great game in its Cultural Heritage Series clash.
AFL - Round 15
GIANTS v Blues
Saturday, June 20 at 4:15pm
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS are out for a crucial win this weekend after their rollercoaster season continued last week, following up their brilliant wins over the Lions and the Demons with a disappointing loss to the Saints at Marvel.
While lacking their usual spark, the GIANTS still had their chances to take down the Saints but ultimately weren’t able to capitalise ahead of the ball, ultimately going down by 10 points.
Despite clearly winning the disposal, clearance and inside 50 count, the GIANTS’ inability to convert entries into scores proved the difference in the end, with the GIANTS converting just 45.5 percent of their inside 50s onto the scoreboard compared to the Saints’ 61.7 percent.
Both of those numbers would have displeased Adam Kingsley, who will no doubt be hoping for better bang for buck going forward this week, as well as a better defensive showing from one of the league’s best backlines.
The GIANTS will also need to up the pressure on Saturday if they’re to stop the Blues in their tracks, with Kingsley’s side registering a season-low 45 tackles in the loss to St Kilda.
The positive for the GIANTS is that they gave themselves plenty of opportunities to score – with 55 inside 50s to the Saints’ 47 last week – they now just need to convert those chances into a winning scoreline.
Currently sitting in 11th and just .1 of a percent off St Kilda for a Wildcard spot, a win for the GIANTS on Saturday would be huge in the context of their season, as they search for their ninth finals appearance in the past 11 years.
The Opposition
After a disastrous start to their season had them sitting at 1-8, the Blues will enter ENGIE Stadium as genuine contenders for a Wildcard Spot, following a brilliant month of footy under caretaker coach Josh Fraser.
Only the ladder-leading Dockers currently have a longer winning streak than the Blues, with Carlton registering four wins on the trot prior to last week’s bye to breathe new life into a season many once believed to be dead.
With impressive victories over the Bulldogs at Marvel, the Power in Adeliade, and the Cats and the Bombers at the MCG, the Blues have bounced back incredibly to put themselves firmly in the hunt for a top 10 spot.
In their most recent win, an epic five-point victory over the Bombers, the Blues came back from 23 points down in the second term to register a gutsy victory; a clash in which they didn’t lead at any stage until early in the final term.
The often-maligned Harry McKay kicked a game-high three goals in the win and will be hoping to carry that form into Saturday’s game, while speedy midfielders Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith were also crucial.
Just a game outside of the top 10, the Blues could find themselves equal on points with the 10th placed St Kilda if they can take down the GIANTS for their fifth straight win on Saturday.
Recent History
The sides have met five times during Adam Kingsley’s tenure across the last three seasons, with the GIANTS holding a 3-2 advantage, including victories in the two most recent meetings.
The last clash between the sides took place at Marvel Stadium in round 11 last year, with Toby Greene celebrating his 250th game in match-winning style, leading his side to a 28-point win.
The milestone man finished with 28 disposals, three goals, 13 score involvements, six clearances, four tackles and six inside-50s to inspire the GIANTS to a 17.8 (110) to 12.10 (82) win.
Jesse Hogan also bagged four goals, while for the Blues it was Sam Walsh (26 disposals) and skipper Patrick Cripps (25 disposals, one goal) who led the way.
Key Match Up: Cripps v Clarry
Saturday’s clash will feature two of the league’s best inside midfielders and clearance animals, in star duo Clayton Oliver and Patrick Cripps.
Elite at getting their hands on the footy in congestion and bringing teammates into the game, both Oliver and Cripps are set to have a major say in who wins the all-important midfield battle at ENGIE Stadium.
Both stars will enter the clash in red-hot form, with Oliver posting near career-best numbers in his first season as a GIANT, while the Blues skipper has played a crucial role in his side’s mid-season surge.
Keep your eye on the middle of the ground on Saturday for what would be a mouthwatering dual if the two big-bodied midfielders go head-to-head.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Brent Daniels
An x-factor for the GIANTS, Daniels is arguably in career-best form after a brilliant month of footy playing more as a midfielder than in his traditional role across half forward.
As well as having kicked multiple goals in four of his eight games this season, Daniels has brought his speed and creativity to the middle of the ground in recent weeks where he’s averaged 24 disposals, seven clearances, eight score involvements and almost a goal per game in his last three matches.
Daniels’ talents were on full display in last week’s clash with the Saints where he posted a career-high 31 disposals to go along with 10 clearances, eight score involvements, six tackles, and five inside 50s.
Thriving in his new role, Daniels will be hoping his stellar form can continue on Saturday as he looks to help his side take down the Blues.
In The Mix:
If the GIANTS decide to make any changes, then there are a host of players waiting in the wings for their opportunity, with James Leake, Harry Rowston, and Jack Ough among those impressing in the VFL last week.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their side on Thursday at 6:20pm at 5pm at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.
