The GIANTS celebrate Pride Round and the special milestone of Tilly Lucas-Rodd as they host the Hawks at Henson Park.
AFLW - Round 10
GIANTS v Hawks
Sunday, October 18 at 2:35pm
Henson Park, Marrickville | Gadigal
What It Means for the GIANTS
After a month of honourable losses the GIANTS lowered their colours against the Cats last week and will be hellbent on putting forward a better effort at home at Henson Park on Sunday as they celebrate Pride Round.
Geelong’s ability to win the footy and provide countless opportunities to their star-studded forward line was too much for the GIANTS to overcome as they fell by 63 points at GMHBA Stadium.
Some phases of the game that the GIANTS will need to improve if they’re to challenge the Hawks is their clearance and contest work, as well as their ground ball gets, key areas they were heavily beaten in against Geelong.
While the Cats, who sit at 8-1 to sit in the conversation as a premiership fancy, were a class above for most of last week, the GIANTS can take some positives out of their second half in which they were able to get their game going and use their pressure to help hit the scoreboard – registering eight shots on goal for four majors in the second half compared to their single shot on goal in the first two quarters.
Other positives to come out of that game were the performances of both Tarni Evans and Jess Doyle at opposing ends of the ground, with Evans a shining light up forward with three goals while Doyle excelled in her role down back with numerous intercept marks.
While on paper the Hawks are the heavy favourites this weekend, don’t rule out a GIANTS side which has played some strong footy throughout the season and which is hungry to sing the song for the first time since round one.
Aiding their mission to take down the Hawks are two extra motivators for the GIANTS, with the side to wear its 2026 Pride Jumper this weekend while also celebrating Tilly Lucas-Rodd’s 100th AFLW game.
The Opposition
Sitting 8th at 5-4 on the season, Sunday looms as a danger game for the Hawks who likely need to win to remain inside the top eight with just two more games to follow.
It’s been an up and down season to date for the Hawks who despite going 2-2 over the last month were able to achieve something no other side has in nearly three years: beat North Melbourne.
That round six clash showed just what this Hawthorn side is capable of, with the Hawks’ seven-point win over the Roos ending their 32-game winning streak – the longest in AFLW, AFL, and VFL history.
Despite bringing down the back-to-back reigning premiers, the Hawks have had an inconsistent run since then, falling back down to earth the following week in round seven where the Cats handed them a reality check with a 36-point defeat at GMHBA Stadium.
After then losing to the Blues by 12 points at Ikon Park the following week, the Hawks bounced back last week with a crucial 25-point win over the Lions at Dingley to cling on to a spot inside the top eight.
That win saw the Hawks overcome a slow start to be the better side from the second term onwards en route to an important 9.11 (65) to 6.4 (40) victory over Carlton.
Keys to the Hawks in the win was their ability to win the ball at the source, dominating both the clearance (+15) and contested possession count (+15). Success in these areas will again be crucial on Sunday after the GIANTS were well beaten in those aspects of the game last week against the Cats.
The Hawks will be hoping for another stellar performance from star forward Aine McDonagh (20 disposals, three goals, eight score involvements, six marks) on Sunday after she continued her brilliant campaign last week to jump to the top of the league’s goalkicking tally.
With a pack of four teams right on their heels in the hunt for a spot in the top eight with just three games remaining, Sunday’s contest looms as a must-win for the Hawks.
Recent History
With the Hawks not entering the competition until 2022, there’s only been two prior meetings between the sides ahead of Sunday’s game, with the ledger tied at 1-1.
While the GIANTS got the chocolates in the very first encounter, claiming a one-point win at Henson Park in 2022, the Hawks hit back with a 37-point win in Frankston in 2024.
Despite the form guide being against them, the GIANTS will be hoping they can make Henson Park a happy hunting ground and make it two from two against the Hawks at the venue on Sunday.
Key Match Up: The Rucks
Sunday’s game will see a fascinating ruck duel between GIANTS youngster Yasmeen Janschek and Hawks star Lucy Wales.
Amidst her debut season, Yanschek has continued to impress despite her age and inexperience, holding down the club’s number one ruck spot across an impressive maiden season to date.
Yanschek will have her work cut out for her on Sunday however as she faces off with arguably the league’s best ruck, with Wales currently sitting sixth in the coaches’ votes.
Wales was again one of the Hawks’ best last week in what was her 50th AFLW game, continuing her career-best season to finish with 14 disposals, 22 hit outs, six tackles, and a goal.
A huge presence around the ground, Wales is a key to the Hawks’ success and her matchup with the 20-year-old Janschek could prove pivotal to how Sunday’s game plays out.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Tilly Lucas-Rodd
An incredible advocate for the game, ambassador for the LGBTIQA+ community, and fierce competitor on field, Tilly Lucas-Rodd will play their 100th match against their former side on Sunday.
Selected by Carlton with pick 99 in the inaugural AFLW Draft of 2016, Lucas-Rodd played three seasons with the Blues before moving to St Kilda between 2020-2022 and then joining the Hawks’ inaugural AFLW side and becoming their first-ever AFLW captain.
After four seasons with the Hawks, Lucas-Rodd joined the GIANTS in the 2025 AFLW Trade Period and was immediately elevated to the team's leadership group. On Sunday they will become the first GIANTS player to reach the 100-game milestone.
Lucas-Rodd will enter Sunday’s game off their best game in their new colours, picking up a team-high 26 disposals against the Cats last week.
Up against their former side, expect Lucas-Rodd to give their all on Sunday as they look to celebrate their milestone game with an upset win over the side they once captained.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name this week’s extended squad at 6:20pm on Thursday via their socials and at gwsgiants.com.au, and the final team at 5pm on Friday.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
