The nation’s capital will host the Expansion Cup in a must-win contest for both sides.
AFL - Round 22
GIANTS v Suns
Sunday, August 9 at 1:10pm
Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka | Ngunnawal
What It Means for the GIANTS
After a crucial win over the Power last week the GIANTS must continue their winning ways on Sunday if they’re to keep their season alive.
Tested against an elite defensive side in Port Adelaide, the GIANTS kicked six consecutive goals either side of half time last week to help set up the gutsy 10.15 (75) to 9.9 (63) win at Adelaide Oval.
Several GIANTS crucial to last week’s win will be hoping to carry over that form in order to take down the Suns, with Jake Stringer and Stephen Coniglio kicking three goals each last week, while Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Ash, and Clayton Oliver found plenty of the footy as the driving forces for Adam Kingsley’s ball movement.
Currently sitting in 12th and just a game behind the Blues in 10th, the GIANTS likely need to win each of their last three games - and hope some other results go their way - if they’re to book a spot in the inaugural Wildcard Round.
The GIANTS could receive a major boost for Sunday’s Expansion Cup, with skipper Toby Greene a chance to return from a quad injury if he can prove his fitness at training.
Surely adding to their confidence ahead of Sunday’s clash is the GIANTS’ red-hot form shown in the nation’s capital this season, registering a gutsy seven-point win over the Kangaroos in round seven before putting the AFL world on notice with an impressive 21-point win over the Dockers in round 17 – a win that ended Fremantle’s 14-game winning streak.
Adam Kingsley will be hoping Canberra can remain a fortress for his side on Sunday in order to stay within reach of a top 10 spot.
The Opposition
There’s no ignoring that it’s been a difficult season for the Suns who after a red-hot start to their campaign have now lost 10 straight games to sit in 14th spot at 7-13 on the season.
Possibly giving the Suns some confidence this week would be their clash with the GIANTS in round eight earlier this year in which Damien Hardwick’s side won by 20 points on the Gold Coast - incredibly though the Suns have won just one more game since that round eight clash as they enter round 22.
In their most recent loss - their 10th in a row - the Suns were unable to make the most of their chances against the Demons on the Gold Coast as they let a 17-point lead in the third term slip as the visitors ran out 18.6 (114) to 16.9 (105) winners.
The Suns dominated field position for large patches of the second and third quarters but were unable to translate it onto the scoreboard as the Dees made the most of their chances to fight out a gutsy nine-point win.
While not getting the result, the Suns were well-served by several players which should give them confidence going into Sunday’s game, with Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell (30 disposals, eight clearance) close to his best after a down season, Jed Walter (12 disposals, seven marks, three goals) impressing up forward, while Touk Miller did a brilliant run-with role on Kozzy Pickett.
Still a slim mathematical chance of making a Wildcard spot, the Suns would need to win each of their last three games, gain a decent percentage boost, while relying on several other outcomes over the last three rounds.
While their finals chances are slim, the Suns will no doubt be eager to end their unwanted losing streak and register their first win since May in Sunday’s Expansion Cup.
Recent History
Despite losing the most recent encounter between the sides - a 20-point loss on the Gold Coast in round eight - the GIANTS have an incredible record against Gold Coast, having beaten the Suns in 15 of the last 17 meetings dating back to 2015.
In that rare loss earlier this year, the GIANTS trailed slightly at each break and just couldn’t overcome the home side who did just enough to register a gritty 11.17 (83) to 8.15 (63) win at People First Stadium.
The win was the first time the Suns had beaten the GIANTS since 2021 and the first time in six attempts under Adam Kingsley’s reign.
Christian Petracca and John Noble both picked up nine Coaches Votes each in the win, while Finn Callaghan was the highest polling GIANT with four votes.
Meanwhile Sunday’s game will be just the third time the Expansion Cup has been played in the nation’s capital, with the GIANTS undefeated in the two previous encounters, registering a 40-point win in 2023 and a historic 27-point win in 2012 - marking the club’s first-ever win in the AFL.
Key Match Up: Beware of the Milestone Man
Dynamic utility Toby Bedford will celebrate his 100th AFL game in Sunday’s clash.
Selected by Melbourne with pick No. 75 in the 2018 AFL Draft, Bedford made his AFL debut in 2020 before joining the GIANTS ahead of the 2023 season.
At times deployed as a tagger capable of taking down some of the league’s best players, Bedford could be tasked with stopping a number of Suns stars on Sunday, with Rowell, Noah Anderson, or former Dees teammate Petracca all viable options.
Coming off a strong 20-disposal, eight-tackle game in the win over the Power last week, expect Bedford to play a pivotal role potentially lined up against one of the Suns’ match-winners.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Stephen Coniglio
While inaugural GIANT Stephen Coniglio has made his name as a line-breaking midfielder over most of his 245 games to date, it’s a role up forward that has seen him shine over the last two weeks.
Missing the likes of Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene, Coniglio has spent more time in attack in recent weeks and it’s paid dividends, with the 32-year-old registering back-to-back three goal games to show there’s still plenty left in the tank amidst his 15th season.
After collecting 19 disposals and kicking three goals against the Swans the week prior, ‘Cogs’ backed it up with 20 touches and three more goals in a brilliant outing in the win over the Power last week.
With another win a must in order to keep their season alive, watch out for Coniglio on Sunday as he looks to continue his purple patch against the Suns.
In The Mix:
The GIANTS could regain their skipper this week, with Greene having to get through this week’s training schedule in order to prove his fitness and return from a quad injury.
Meanwhile, if the GIANTS look to their stocks in the VFL then the likes of Jake Riccardi and Toby McMullin could come into consideration after strong performances last week.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their extended squad on Thursday at 6:20pm and their final team on Friday at 5pm at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
