The orange tsunami continues to gain momentum and now a meeting with the Bombers at Marvel Stadium awaits.
AFL - Round 19
Bombers v GIANTS
Sunday, July 19 at 4:40pm
Marvel Stadium | Wurundjeri Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS may have just hit their straps at the right time of the season after registering crucial back-to-back wins over the Dockers and the Cats to put themselves firmly in the hunt for a spot in September.
Currently sitting 11th and just outside of a Wildcard spot on percentage, the GIANTS will leapfrog St Kilda into the top 10 this weekend if the Saints lose to Geelong on Thursday and Adam Kingsley’s side takes care of the Bombers on Sunday.
The GIANTS will enter this weekend riding a wave of momentum after overcoming a slow start and a 39-point deficit late in the third term last week to storm over the top of Geelong with nine of the last 10 goals to register a thrilling 12.14 (86) to 11.7 (73) comeback win at ENGIE Stadium.
Despite already taking down the Bombers in round nine, the GIANTS will be hoping for a much faster start this time around after trailing by 15 points at half time and by two at three-quarter time before a strong last term saw them storm home to register a 16.7 (103) to 13.11 (89) victory at ENGIE Stadium.
One area the GIANTS continue to work on – and one that will be vital against the Bombers – is their centre clearance work, with the GIANTS finding their groove in the final term last week where they won the centre clearance count 7-0, an outcome that was crucial to the comeback win.
While on paper the Bombers sit in last spot with just one win to their name, the GIANTS need to ensure they’re on their game on Sunday in order to bank another crucial win in their bid to feature in September.
The Opposition
With their sole win coming back in April in round five in a shock upset over the Dees, it will have been 99 days since the Bombers have sung their song when they face off with the GIANTS on Sunday afternoon.
Sitting in last spot and finals well out of possibility, the Bombers will enter Marvel Stadium with nothing to lose as they look to play party pooper on the GIANTS and end their bid for a Wildcard spot.
Sure to give them belief ahead of the clash is the fact the Bombers pushed Adam Kingsley’s side all the way back in their prior meeting in round nine.
The Bombers were particularly dominant across the first half in many key areas of that game and if not for a defiant GIANTS backline should have found themselves up by more than 15 points at half time.
Essendon dominated both territory and possession early in that clash, winning the uncontested mark count 54-38 and the inside 50 battle 35-19 in a lopsided first half.
While they eventually let their lead slide, the Bombers showed how small the margins are across the competition and that when a team is slightly off their game that any result is possible despite what the ladder may suggest.
While they only managed to kick 1.9 (15) up until three-quarter time in a 90-point loss to the Lions last week, Essendon will be hoping their strong last quarter – which saw them kick seven goals – can give them some momentum and some confidence that they can upset the GIANTS on Sunday at home.
Recent History
The GIANTS have won three of the last four meetings between the sides over the last couple of seasons.
Meanwhile the teams have previously faced off six times at Marvel Stadium, with the Bombers holding a 4-2 advantage at the Docklands venue.
The last time the teams met at Marvel was in round 19 last year, with the GIANTS registering a 48-point win as Jake Stringer (18 disposals, three goals) and Finn Callaghan (33 disposals, 537m gained) ran riot.
Key Match Up: Slammer v Nate
Star All-Australian defender Sam Taylor continues to remind everyone just how good he is after another brilliant performance last week against the Cats.
Playing in his sixth game back from a serious hamstring injury, Taylor finished the game with 21 disposals, 11 intercept possessions and nine marks in a superb showing from the dominant defender.
The 27-year-old will look to continue his red-hot form on Sunday in what could be a mouthwatering matchup with Bombers young gun Nate Caddy.
Recently inking a new deal with the club until 2031, Caddy is seen as the present and the future of the Bombers forward line and will enter Sunday’s clash off an impressive two-goal performance against the Lions despite limited opportunities in the lopsided affair.
Having kicked a goal in every game this year, and a goal in 20 straight games dating back to last year, Caddy is the leader of a young and inexperienced Essendon forward line and will need to be kept in check if the GIANTS are to ensure there’s no chance of an upset on Sunday night.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Riley Hamilton
Another exciting young talent that the GIANTS have unearthed this season, Riley Hamilton announced himself to the footy world last week with an eye-catching display that saw him register 15 disposals, seven score involvements, and kick two crucial second-half goals in the comeback win over Geelong.
Playing in just his second AFL game, the brilliant performance saw Hamilton rewarded with a Telstra AFL Rising Star nomination.
Set to play his first AFL game at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, the dynamic forward is certainly one to watch as he looks to continue the exciting start to his AFL career.
In The Mix:
Unfortunately Phoenix Gothard will miss some time with a shoulder dislocation, while the GIANTS could be bolstered by the return of Lachie Whitfield this weekend, with the All-Australian defender looking to clear concussion protocols in a bid to face the Bombers.
While the club’s VFL side had the bye last week, a host of players put in strong performances the week prior to push their cases for AFL selection, with Nick Madden, Toby McMullin, Cody Angove, and James Leake leading the way.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their extended side on Thursday at 6:20pm and then their final team at 5pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
