The GIANTS head south looking to cause a big big upset against of the league’s hottest sides.  

Cats v GIANTS  
Saturday, October 10 at 5:05pm 
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong | Wadawurrung

What It Means for the GIANTS     

The GIANTS get another chance to register their second victory of the season as they make the trip south to Geelong to take on the Cats. 

It won’t be easy for the GIANTS though who will enter GMHBA Stadium as heavy underdogs against a Cats side who has put itself firmly into premiership contention with seven straight wins, with their only loss a round one defeat to the dominant Kangaroos. 

While their lack of consistency across four quarters continues to plague them, the GIANTS should take confidence into Saturday that their best is good enough to trouble the Cats if they can sustain it across an entire game.  

The GIANTS’ tale of their last month has been one of frustration, with the side playing plenty of brilliant football to put themselves in chances to win, but too often they’ve had lapses in quarters which has seen them fall short of the four points.  

The GIANTS will enter the Cattery on Saturday following another hot and cold performance which saw a poor third term result in a tough nine-point loss to the Bombers. The GIANTS were at their best in the first half and look destined for a win after holding a 25-poiint lead early in the third term. That wasn't to be however as they allowed the Bombers back into the game in the third term as the visitors stormed home to claim a gritty win at Henson Park.  

Two key areas the GIANTS will look to address on Saturday in order to upset the Cats is their own conversion going forward and their ability to limit their opponent’s efficiency inside 50.  

These two areas of their game weren’t to the level that Cam Bernasconi would expect from his side against the Bombers last week, with the GIANTS dominating the inside 50 count 50-23 but only able to convert 24% of those entries into scores. Conversely the Bombers were able to score on 56% of their inside 50s – these two areas ultimately cost the GIANTS who could not capitalise on their territory dominance or stop the Bombers from hitting the scoreboard often enough. 

Both of those areas will need to be tidied up this week if the GIANTS are to give themselves a chance of taking down the red-hot Cats.  

The Opposition         

One of the hottest teams in the competition, the Cats haven’t been beaten in almost two months after winning seven on the trot following their round one loss to North Melbourne.  

Outside of their seven-point win over the Suns in round three, the Cats have barely been challenged in their seven-week purple patch, winning their other six games by an average margin of just under 40 points. 

One of the keys to the Cats’ success has been the dominance of their midfield brigade, led by Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison, and Mikayla Bowen. 

Prespakis (3rd) and Morrison (9th) in particular have been immense for the Cats, with the pair sitting inside the top 10 in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award ahead of round nine.  

The midfield trio were huge once again in last week’s 34-point win over the Tigers, with Prespakis (28 disposals, eight clearances) overcoming plenty of attention to star alongside Morrison (26 disposals, six tackles) and Bowen (20 disposals, eight tackles).  

With their forward line also firing, if the Cats’ midfield can continue their dominance on Saturday then it’ll go a long way to making it eight wins in a row. 

Recent History        

The GIANTS and the Cats have met four times previously, with the GIANTS holding a 3-1 advantage entering Saturday’s contest. 

However, despite their poor record against the GIANTS, it was the Cats who sung the song the last time the sides faced off, with Geelong registering an 11.6 (72) to 6.9 (45) win in the corresponding round nine fixture last year. 

The GIANTS stuck with the Cats for three quarters and trailed by just six points at the last change in that clash, but a five-goal-to-one final term from the home side saw Geelong run out 27-point winners at GMHBA Stadium. 

Key Match Up:  Stopping the Cats Forwards    

While many eyes will be on the midfield match up on Saturday, just as crucial to the result will be the success of the GIANTS’ backline in restricting the Cats’ star-studded attack.  

While Prespakis, Morrison, and Bowen are the engine of the formidable Cats, their forward line is also full of weapons, with Geelong having three players all inside the league’s top 10 goalkickers this season, with Chloe Sheer (18 goals), Jacqueline Parry (16), and Aishling Moloney (11) all starring ahead of the footy so far this season.  

Led by the likes of versatile All-Australian defender Cambridge McCormick and reliable one-on-one defenders Caitlin Fletcher and Daisy Walker, the GIANTS’ backline will need to be at its absolute best on Saturday if they’re to contain Geelong’s front half and give themselves a chance of victory. 

GIANTS Player to Watch:   

Young superstar Zarlie Goldsworthy made her long-awaited return from injury last week, playing her first game of the season after missing the opening seven rounds with a fracture in her lower leg. 

It didn’t take long for the 2023 AFLW Rising Star winner to make an impact, with Goldsworthy’s class and natural talent shining through as she combined time up forward with stints on ball in limited minutes. 

After finishing with 11 disposals, three clearances and six tackles last week despite being on managed game time, expect Goldsworthy to take another step forward on Saturday as she looks to help the GIANTS cause a major upset.  

Team Selection:         

The GIANTS will name this week’s team at 6:20pm on Thursday via their socials and at gwsgiants.com.au.        

Rehab Report:          

Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.