The GIANTS and the Bulldogs will meet under lights in an exciting ANZAC clash at Manuka Oval.
AFL Round 7
GIANTS v Western Bulldogs
Saturday, April 26 at 7:35pm
Manuka Oval | Ngunnawal Country
What It Means For The GIANTS
The GIANTS will be looking to put last week’s poor performance against the Crows in the rearview mirror as they aim to bounce back with a win over one of their archrivals in Canberra.
Their first official clash in the nation’s capital this season, the GIANTS have turned Manuka Oval into a fortress over the last year and will be searching for their fourth straight win at the venue after winning all three of their matches in Canberra last season.
Sitting 4th after a 4-2 start to the season, Adam Kingsley’s men will be hoping to regain their mojo against the Bulldogs after the Crows were able to halt the orange tsunami and stifle the GIANTS’ ball movement en route to an 18-point win at Adelaide Oval.
Adding to what is already a special occasion as part of the ANZAC Appeal Round, the GIANTS will also celebrate one of their most valued members on Saturday as defender Connor Idun plays his 100th game.
The GIANTS could regain some extra firepower for Saturday’s clash, with reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan and vice-captain Stephen Coniglio both tests this week in their bids to return from injury to take on the Dogs.
The Opposition
The Bulldogs will enter Saturday’s clash sitting at 3-3 and with a fit and firing Marcus Bontempelli back in their side.
While their skipper returned in brilliant fashion last week in their huge 71-point win over the Saints, the Dogs will face the GIANTS without their star key forward Sam Darcy who will spend a lengthy stint on the sidelines after escaping an ACL injury but still requiring surgery after hyperextending his knee.
Despite missing Darcy – who went down in the first quarter of Sunday’s clash with the Saints - the Dogs put in an inspired performance to outscore the Saints 15 goals to four after quarter-time on their way to an 18.19 (127) to 8.8 (56) win.
Currently sitting 8th on the AFL table by percentage, the Dogs will be aiming to stay inside the top eight with victory over the GIANTS on Saturday.
Recent History
The Bulldogs will face the GIANTS with a great recent record on their side, having won four of the last five meetings between the teams.
The most recent meeting saw the Dogs register a 37-point win at Mars Stadium in Ballarat late last year, while the last clash between the sides at Manuka Oval back in round eight, 2023, saw the Dogs claim a 15-point victory.
With no love lost between the sides over the past decade, Saturday’s clash looms as another spicy clash between two sides with finals aspirations.
Key Match Up: Old Dog Against A Young Star
The possible matchup of Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli and GIANTS young gun Finn Callaghan is one worth the price of admission alone to Saturday’s ANZAC round clash.
One of the competition’s most exciting young stars – who himself grew up a fan of the Dogs and their skipper- Callaghan has taken his game to new heights in 2025 to establish himself as one of the GIANTS’ most influential players and one of the AFL’s most damaging midfielders.
Averaging 26.8 disposals, five inside 50s, and 6.5 score involvements per game this season, Callaghan continues to use his silky skills and his burst of speed to star for the GIANTS.
While he could play forward a bit more on Saturday as he did in his first game back last week, if Bontempelli lines up in the midfield on Saturday then a potential mouthwatering matchup with Callaghan will be a sight to see.
GIANTS Player To Watch: The Local Lad
Canberran Tom Green will return home this weekend looking to continue the red-hot start to his 2025 campaign.
After missing the Opening Round win over Collingwood with a calf injury, Green has been on a tear ever since, with the midfield bull averaging a league-leading 33.4 disposals per game to go along with 7.4 clearances and 3.9 tackles.
Following on from his fifth-place finish in last year’s Brownlow Medal, Green looks set to take his game to even greater heights this year as he continues to cement himself as one of the game’s elite inside midfielders.
Recruited from Eastlake and Marist College in Canberra, Green will be hoping to help lead the GIANTS to a win on Saturday in his own backyard of Manuka Oval.
In The Mix
Several GIANTS continue to push their case for AFL selection with strong performances in the VFL, with Max Gruzewski, James Leake, and Leek Aleer among a strong contingent starring at the lower level.
Click here to get a recap of the club’s big VFL win over the weekend.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Dogs at 6:20pm on Thursday via gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update on the likes of Stephen Coniglio and Brent Daniels ahead of Saturday’s match here.
Where To Watch
The clash with the Dogs will be shown live nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo from 7:30pm, as well as delayed coverage on 7mate and 7plus from 8:30pm in NSW and the ACT as part of Super Saturdays on Fox. Click here for more info on the AFL’s broadcast deal for 2025.
