Is the orange tsunami finally gaining momentum as the race to finals heats up?
AFL - Round 18
GIANTS v Cats
Saturday, July 11 at 4:15pm
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS shocked much of the footy world and reminded everyone of their capabilities last week, ending Fremantle’s 14-game winning streak with a brilliant 21-point win in Canberra.
Despite fielding their least experienced side of the season – including debutants Riley Hamilton and Jack Ough – the GIANTS returned to their best in the nation’s capital as a seven-goal haul from Jake Stringer spearheaded an impressive 16.13 (109) to 13.10 (88) win.
As has been the tale for much of the season to date, the GIANTS must now show they can perform at that level consistently, as they face another of the season’s top performers in Geelong.
Currently sitting in 13th and a game outside of a Wildcard spot, the GIANTS continue to endure a rollercoaster season which has seen them beat the likes of Fremantle, Hawthorn, and Brisbane, but also lose to multiple sides outside of the top 10.
A key to making it back-to-back wins over two of the league’s best sides on Saturday will be the GIANTS’ clearance game, with Adam Kingsley’s midfield at its best in the win over the Dockers where they dominated the clearance count 42-28.
Up against a strong midfield containing the likes of running machines Bailey Smith and Max Holmes, the GIANTS’ midfield brigade needs to be at its best again on Saturday if they’re to continue their climb up the ladder.
Sure to give them added confidence, the GIANTS have won the last four meetings with the Cats ahead of Saturday’s big game.
The Opposition
The Cats were licking their wounds over the weekend after suffering back-to-back losses for just the second time this season, following a 22-point defeat to the Lions at GMHBA Stadium last Thursday night.
The Cats will need to start with much greater intensity against the GIANTS on Saturday if they’re to leave Sydney with a win, with Chris Scott’s side being blown away early by the Lions last week who piled on an eight-goal opening term to set up the impressive win away from home.
A huge positive out of that game for Geelong despite the loss was the performance of skipper Patrick Dangerfield (17 disposals, five goals) who wound back the clock with a starring display playing up forward.
If the 36-year-old can put forward a performance even close to that on Saturday then he’ll present a huge danger (pun intended) for the GIANTS who will certainly be wary of what the Cats’ captain can produce at his best.
Sitting 7th at 9-7 on the season after rare consecutive losses to the Dockers and the Lions in recent weeks, history tells us we should expect a big bounce back from the Cats who have proven to be one of the league’s most consistent sides under Chris Scott’s reign.
Recent History
While they’ve played numerous thrillers in recent years, it’s been a big, big sound blasted following the last four meetings, with the GIANTS claiming victories by 26, four, four, and seven points in those games.
You have to go back to round eight, 2022 for Geelong’s last win over the GIANTS, with the Cats claiming a 53-point victory in Canberra.
In the most recent encounter, it was a six-goal blitz from Aaron Cadman that led the GIANTS to a 17.9 (111) to 13.7 (85) triumph in round 18 last year at ENGIE Stadium.
Key Match Up: Can Seek Stop Danger?
One of the league’s hottest forwards and one of its best defenders could come face to face in a mouth-watering matchup on Saturday in Cats star Patrick Dangerfield and unsung GIANTS defender Connor Idun.
Dangerfield reminded the footy world that he’s still capable of mixing it with the game’s greatest last week, in a heroic five-goal performance in the loss to the Lions, with the 36-year-old almost single-handedly keeping his side in the game at times.
Meanwhile, Idun continues to be one of the league’s most underrated players and one of its best lockdown defenders.
Idun will enter Saturday’s contest off another stellar performance in a campaign which is sure to see him challenge for this year's Kevin Sheedy Medal. The vice-captain registered 26 disposals, nine intercept possessions, and 12 marks in a dominant display down back in the win over Fremantle.
If Idun, who goes by the nickname of ‘Seek’ around the club, matches up with Dangerfield on Saturday, then that will be worth the price of admission alone — and crucial to who claims the four points.
GIANTS Player to Watch: The Skipper
A man who often thrives in the spotlight, GIANTS skipper Toby Greene will have some extra eyes on him this weekend against the Cats, a side that’s been heavily rumoured to be among those chasing the out-of-contract star.
Despite the speculation about his future, the inspirational skipper continues to let his footy do the talking, with Greene critical in last weekend’s win over Fremantle with a sublime 26-disposal, three-goal performance.
Greene will also enter Saturday’s game with a strong recent record against Geelong. The three-time All Australian averaging 18 disposals and 2.2 goals per game in the last four games against the Cats.
In The Mix:
The GIANTS will be forced to make at least one change this week, with Lachie Whitfield set to miss through concussion after receiving a heavy knock in the clash with the Dockers, ruling him out of the second half of the impressive win.
Meanwhile, a pair of GIANTS could return to the side on Saturday, with both Jayden Laverde (hamstring) and Phoenix Gothard (managed) expected to be available.
Xavier O’Halloran (ankle) is another looking to return, with a decision on his availability to be made following Thursday’s main training.
A host of fit and firing GIANTS performed strongly in a great VFL win on the weekend to also put themselves into AFL consideration, with Nick Madden, Toby McMullin, Cody Angove, and James Leake all crucial to the win.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name this week's side on Thursday at 6:20pm at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.
