Can the GIANTS reignite their season and replicate the brilliant win over the Hawks in Opening Round?
AFL - Round 16
Hawks v GIANTS
Friday, June 26 at 7:40pm
MCG | Wurundjeri Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
Looking to respond from a tough loss at home to the Blues, it doesn’t get any easier for Adam Kingsley’s side who will hit the road to take on the Hawks in the GIANTS’ first game at the MCG this season.
Still battling with inconsistency to sit 13th at 6-8 on the season, the GIANTS need to find their groove – and soon – if they’re to ensure that they reach their fourth finals campaign from four efforts under Kingsley’s reign.
The GIANTS will be hoping to rediscover their brilliant form shown in rounds 11 and 12 which saw them claim impressive back-to-back statement wins over the Lions and the Demons prior to their tough losses to the Saints and Blues in recent weeks.
While the GIANTS should have confidence from their brilliant finishes to the home and away season in each of the last three years under Kingsley, they need to start converting that belief into wins before they’re left too far behind from the top 10.
The GIANTS should have confidence in what they can achieve on Friday after already taking down the Hawks with a brilliant 27-point win in Opening Round at ENGIE Stadium.
One of the keys to what would be a crucial four points for the GIANTS on Friday is winning the centre clearance battle, an area that the GIANTS struggled in against the Blues [losing 16-6] - and one that the Hawks thrived in against the Suns [winning 20-12] last week. If the GIANTS can win the ball out of the middle and give their dangerous forwards first crack it’ll go a long way to a much-needed win in their context of their season.
The Opposition
The Hawks (9-1-4) will enter Friday’s clash sitting in third and aiming for their fourth win in five weeks as they look to keep a large chasing pack at bay in the hotly contested race for a top four spot.
After a draw and a pair of losses between rounds eight to 10, the Hawks have regained their mojo and are 3-1 over the past month, with their only loss a six-point defeat to the Dogs a fortnight ago before bouncing back with an impressive 16-point win over the Suns on the Gold Coast last week.
In a unique game full of momentum swings, the Hawks piled on four goals in four minutes to start the final term before withstanding a mini Suns fightback to register an important 17.11 (113) to 14.13 (97) win on the road.
With the Cats, Crows, Demons, and Dogs all sitting just half a game behind Sam Mitchell’s side, Friday’s fixture is a crucial one in the context of the Hawks’ top four aspirations.
If the Hawks are to take down the GIANTS then they’ll have to do it without some important pieces, with injured trio Jarman Impey, Jack Gunston and Conor Nash all sidelined for Friday’s game.
Recent History
If recent history between the sides is anything to go by then Friday should be another close contest, with the average winning margin between the sides just 11 points across the last seven encounters.
While the Hawks hold a slight 3-2 advantage over the last five games, it was the GIANTS who were victorious in the last meeting between the teams with a 27-point win in Opening Round.
Jake Stringer claimed the perfect 10 Coaches Votes for his brilliant five-goal performance in the win, while Clayton Oliver (26 disposals, 10 clearances), Finn Callaghan (26 disposals, 735m gained), and Stephen Coniglio (22 disposals, two goals) also polled votes.
Key Match Up: Fiery Skippers
Friday’s clash will feature three of the league’s fieriest skippers in GIANTS captain Toby Greene and Hawthorn co-captains James Sicily and Jai Newcombe.
Passionate leaders often seen getting under the skin of their opponents, the trio are barometers for their respective sides and often pivotal to their team’s success.
With Friday’s game a high-stakes clash for both teams, expect emotions to be running high - and don’t be surprised if its Greene, Sicily, and Newcome are right in the middle of any spicy altercations.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Lachie Ash
Lachie Ash continues to establish himself as one of the league’s best runners and ball winners, with the 25-year-old averaging 29.9 disposals per game and over 630m gained across his 14 games this season.
While also utilised on ball at times this season, Ash has returned to his traditional role across half back in recent weeks where he’s been quick to display how vital his run and carry is to the GIANTS’ orange tsunami.
Ash was arguably the GIANTS’ best in their loss to the Blues last week (with 26 disposals and 594m gained) and his dash and dare out of defence will no doubt be crucial to his side’s chances of an upset victory against the Hawks on Friday night.
In The Mix:
The GIANTS will be forced to make at least two changes this week following fresh injuries to Jayden Laverde (hamstring) and Jesse Hogan (finger).
Max Gruzewski looks like a likely inclusion after recovering from his hand injury quicker than expected, while in the VFL there’s plenty putting their hands up for AFL consideration.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their AFL side on Thursday at 6:20pm at gwsgiants.com.au.
The VFL side will then be named at 12:20pm on Friday.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Friday’s match here.
