Here is the match day guide and preview for the Giants AFL round two clash against the Eagles.
Match details
- Who: West Coast Eagles vs GWS Giants
- When: Sunday 26 March, 6.20pm
- Where: Optus Stadium, Perth
- Weather: Min 17 Max 27. 60% chance of rain, 0 to 3mm
- Click here to buy tickets
- All time head-to-head record: Played 14. Giants 5 wins. Eagles 9 wins.
Teams
Giants
IN: Cooper Hamilton, Harry Rowston
OUT: Harry Perryman (injured), Josh Kelly (injured), Lachie Whitfield (injured)
GWS have dealt been dealt three big blows with regulars Perryman, Kelly and Whitfield all out injured. Rowston is set to make his AFL debut, while fellow youngster Hamilton comes in as well.
Eagles
IN: Jake Waterman, Sam Petrevski-Seton
OUT: Jack Petruccelle (omitted), Callum Jamieson (omitted), Xavier O’Neill (omitted)
West Coast have dropped three from last week’s side with Waterman and Petrevski-Seton coming in.
Round one recap
GWS Giants 8th – 117.8% | 106 points for | 90 points against| 1 win & 0 losses
It was looking like a dire start to Adam Kinglsey’s coaching career with the Giants trailing by 28 points at half time, but they rallied in the second half and claimed a famous win in hot conditions.
The Giants also had several injuries to deal with throughout the match, making the win even gutsier and prompting Kinglsey to call it ‘the most courageous win I’ve ever been involved in’.
Stephen Coniglio was probably the best player on the field finishing with 32 touches and a goal, while Toby Greene lead from the front with 4 goals. Harry Himmelberg provided the highlight of the match with an absolute hanger in the first quarter.
It was a terrific beginning to life under their new coach, but the trick now is to back it up.
West Coast Eagles 11th – 94.3% | 82 points for | 87 points against | 0 wins & 1 loss
Coming off a terribly disappointing 2022 season, the Eagles had the perfect opportunity to hit the ground running this season, but came up short against the Kangaroos.
They looked listless to start the game as North Melbourne kicked out to a 33-point lead early in the third quarter, but to the Eagles credit they rallied back and almost pinched victory.
There seems to be a lack of young talent of West Coast’s list, while a few of the older veterans are struggling to find their best form.
West Coast is a proud club with a record of success and will not be keen to repeat last year’s two win season, so this is the perfect chance to right the ship at home.
Last 5 meetings and Optus Stadium history
- 2022 round 10: Giants 21.12 (138) defeat Eagles 13.8 (86) at Giants Stadium
- 2021 round 10: Giants 13.15 (93) defeat Eagles 11.11 (77) at Giants Stadium
- 2020 round 13: Eagles 9.7 (61) defeat Giants 7.7 (49) at Optus Stadium
- 2019 round 2: Eagles 16.8 (104) defeated Giants 7.10 (52) at Optus Stadium
- 2018 round 16: Eagles 13.8 (86) defeat Giants 10.15 (75) at Optus Stadium
West Coast have won three of the last five meetings, although GWS have won the last two.
The home side has won each of the previous five clashes between the sides, and nine of the 14 overall match ups.
The Giants have never beaten the Eagles at Optus Stadium in their three meetings at the ground. GWS did manage to beat the Eagles once (2017 round 10) in Perth before the new stadium was opened in 2018.
Pre match predictions
Giants stand tall: The Giants tall forwards Jesse Hogan and Harry Himmelberg to combine for five goals in a GWS win.
Oscar nominee: Oscar Allen to take a mark of the round contender and kick three goals.
Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
