Match day guide and preview for the 2022 AFL round 9 game between the GWS Giants and Carlton Blues.
Match details
Who: GWS Giants vs Carlton Blues
When: Sunday 15 May 2022, 3.20pm
Where: GIANTS Stadium NSW
All time head-to-head record: Played 12. Giants 9 wins. Blues 3 wins.
Teams
Giants
IN: Conor Stone
OUT: Bobby Hill (omitted), Matt Flynn (omitted)
Hill has been left out after a quiet start to the season with Stone coming in. Flynn goes out with Preuss the only recognised ruckman in the GWS 22.
Blues
IN: Brodie Kemp, George Hewett, Jesse Motlop, Lachie Plowman
OUT: Harry McKay (injured), Jack Martin (injured), Lewis Young (HS protocol), Jordan Boyd (omitted), Matthew Cottrell (medi-sub)
DEBUT: Jesse Motlop
Hewett has been named to return, but unfortunately the Blues have lost spearhead McKay for six weeks with a knee injury. Jesse Motlop, the son of former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide star Daniel Motlop, will make his debut after some impressive form in the VFL.
Season so far
GWS Giants 15th – 79.9% | 563 points for | 705 points against | 2 wins 6 losses | LWLLL
A slow start to the season has seen the club and coach Leon Cameron mutually decide to part ways after this game.
While it seems harsh for a coach to be let go after leading his team to a finals win in five of the last six years and as recently as last year, the timing just seems right for both Cameron and the club to move on.
Cameron has been a terrific for the club since taking the reigns in 2014 and it would be fitting for his players to lift for their coach and send him out on a high note.
Carlton Blues 4th – 111.4% | 725 points for | 651 points against | 6 wins 2 losses | WWLWL
Carlton have been somewhat of a surprise packet this year, with the club sitting in the top four after a terrific start to the season.
They were far too good for the Crows last week, with Patrick Cripps putting in another masterful performance, while Charlie Curnow was unstoppable up forward.
The only thing to note about Carlton is that they have only beaten one team currently in the top 8 (Richmond 8th – round one) and were soundly beaten by Fremantle in Perth three weeks ago.
While recent form would suggest the Blues should be too good, they’ll need to be wary of a GWS side high on emotion.
Last 5 meetings and GIANTS Stadium history
- 2021 round 23 – Blues 11.9 (75) lost to Giants 12.17 (89) at Marvel Stadium
- 2021 round 14 – Giants 16.6 (102) defeat Blues 9.12 (66) at Giants Stadium
- 2020 Round 15 – Giants 6.12 (48) defeat Blues 5.9 (39) at Metricon Stadium
- 2019 Round 9 – Giants 20.18 (138) defeat Blues7.3 (45) at Giants Stadium
- 2018 Round 20 – Blues 7.4 (46) lost to Giants 23.13 (151) at Marvel Stadium
GWS have a dominant 9-3 record over the Blues which includes winning the last five straight and nine of the last ten matchups.
Over the course of the Giants’ nine wins over Carlton, their average margin of victory is 54 points with a high of 105 points in 2018.
The Blues won the first two matches against GWS by 67 and 94 points back in 2012 and 2013, with their only other victory by just one point in 2017, making their average margin of victory also 54 points.
Carlton have never won at GIANTS Stadium with GWS winning all five matchups with an average margin of 56 points.
Pre match prediction
Leon says goodbye on a high: GWS to lift for their coach and record an upset win in a thriller.
Other match details
Sunday’s match will be shown live on the 7 Network, Fox Footy and Kayo nationally from 3.20pm.
Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
