The GIANTS will look to keep their slim Wildcard chances alive as they clash with the Eagles in the first game of a historic AFL-AFLW double-header at ENGIE Stadium.
AFL - Round 23
GIANTS v Eagles
Sunday, August 16 at 1:40pm
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country
What It Means for the GIANTS
While their destiny is no longer fully in their hands, the GIANTS must at least win their final two games to give themselves any chance of snatching a Wildcard spot.
Currently sitting in 12th and two games behind the Blues (10th), in order for the GIANTS to make the Wildcard Round they need to win both of their final games against the Eagles and the Crows (in Adelaide) while also needing Carlton to lose both of its game against the Bulldogs and the Dockers. The GIANTS would also need to overtake the Saints (11th) on percentage, or have St Kilda lose one of their remaining games against the Tigers and Suns.
Despite the list of outcomes needed to go their way to feature in September, the GIANTS first need to take care of their own business on Sunday against a promising Eagles side who, despite their win-loss record, continue to show throughout games that they can match it with some of the league’s best sides.
The GIANTS find themselves in this predicament following a tough two-point loss in Canberra which saw the Suns snap a 10-game losing streak to claim a gritty 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77) win on the road.
The Suns managed the wet and slippery conditions slightly better than the GIANTS who kept within striking distance throughout the contest but were unable to overcome the spirited Suns.
As they look to keep their season alive the GIANTS will need to make at least two forced changes for Sunday’s clash with the Eagles, with Xavier O’Halloran (hamstring) and Jayden Laverde (punctured lung) both injured in the loss to the Suns. Toby Bedford (back) was also injured but is a chance to play this week if he can prove his fitness at Friday’s main training session.
With their season on the line, expect a fired-up GIANTS outfit on Sunday as they look to avoid a second straight loss to the Eagles after falling to them by 17 points earlier this year at Optus Stadium.
The Opposition
While well and truly out of the finals race, the Eagles (4-17) have already shown once this year that they can take down the GIANTS following their impressive 13.10 (88) to 10.11 (71) win at home in round 10.
The Eagles’ pressure was at its absolute best in that win and it’s something they’ll need to replicate on Sunday in order to claim their fifth win of the season.
While they should enter Sunday full of confidence after their earlier win over the GIANTS, the Eagles will need to break a nine-match losing streak if they’re to sing the song this weekend, with Andrew McQualter’s side having not won since they beat the Bombers by 30 points back in round 10.
Despite their win-loss record, the Eagles have still produced some strong football over the past two months, particularly impressing in hard-fought losses to the Pies, the Lions, the Dogs, and the Crows in recent weeks.
Young star Harley Reid will again be a focal point for both sides on Sunday as he looks to continue his strong season and help lead his side to an upset win on the road. Despite being clearly hampered by a number of knocks and niggles during last week’s 19-point loss to the Pies, Reid showed the growth and maturity in his game with a gutsy performance which saw him collect 29 disposals, six clearances, and a goal to further display what a talent he is.
While they wont be featuring in September, there’s no doubt the Eagles will be eyeing off Sunday’s game as a winnable fixture as they look to continue building winning habits after some lean years.
Recent History
It’s been an interesting set of results between the club across the last few years, with the GIANTS holding a 3-2 advantage across the last five meetings dating back to 2023.
One of two things have occurred in each of those five encounters: either a huge win by the GIANTS, or a close upset win by the Eagles.
In their three wins the GIANTS have claimed victories by 59 points, 81 points, and 65 points, while in the two losses the Eagles have defied outside expectations to register gritty wins by 17 points and 19 points, both at Optus Stadium.
In West Coast’s win over the GIANTS earlier this season it was a fierce and ferocious contest which saw the Eagles come from behind with the final four goals of the game to claim the thrilling three-goal win.
In the most recent clash between the teams at ENGIE Stadium it was an 81-point win to the GIANTS in round four last year, with Jesse Hogan bagging nine goals.
Key Match Up: Stopping Waterman
While he hasn’t kicked as accurately this season as we’ve become accustomed to - kicking a wayward 46.52 - there’s no doubting that Jake Waterman remains a matchwinner for the Eagles and a player the GIANTS must put plenty of time into if they’re to get the four points on Sunday.
Waterman was one of the catalysts for the Eagles’ strong showing against the Pies last week, finishing with 12 disposals, five marks and 3.2 to help keep his side in the contest until the final minutes.
The GIANTS have numerous options they can task with trying to nullify Waterman, with one of star defensive duo Sam Taylor and Connor Idun likely to get the matchup on the 2024 All Australian.
Both enjoying stellar seasons themselves, whichever of Idun and Taylor gets opposed to the Eagles spearhead – and their ability to limit his influence – will go a long way to shaping the result of Sunday’s game.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Max Gruzewski
Fresh off a new two-year deal, Max Gruzewski will be looking to continue his career-best season in Sunday’s clash with the Eagles.
Already registering career-highs for both games (13) and goals (18) this season, Gruzewski will be out to continue his important role in a forward line missing regulars such as Jesse Hogan, Jake Riccardi, Brent Daniels, and Phoenix Gothard.
Gruzewski will enter Sunday’s game fresh off a strong showing in the loss to the Suns last week, with the 22-year-old finishing with 11 disposals and two goals to provide a strong target ahead of the ball in tough conditions for a key forward.
In The Mix:
With O’Halloran and Laverde both out injured, there’s several GIANTS who could come into consideration to enter Adam Kingsley’s side this week.
The likes of Conor Stone, Cody Angove, and Jake Riccardi lead the list of candidates who performed well in the VFL side’s crucial win over the Suns 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.
