Match day guide and preview for the AFL Round 20 game between the Giants and Power on the Gold Coast.
Who, when and where?
GWS Giants vs Port Adelaide Power
Sunday 1 August 2021 at 6.10pm (AEST)
Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, QLD.
All time head-to-head record: Played 11. Giants 6 wins. Power 5 wins.
Ladder position and recent form
GWS Giants 8th – 96.6% | 1416 points for |1466 points against | 8 wins, 9 losses & 1 draw | WLLWL
The Giants jumped back into eighth with a comeback win over the Bombers last week but have been largely inconsistent over the past five weeks.
Their two wins over Essendon and Melbourne have been mixed with losses against Hawthorn, Gold Coast and Sydney.
They have a tough run home and with just two points separating 8th and 12th on the ladder, GWS need to bring their absolute best to beat Port.
Port Adelaide 4th – 104.5% | 1523 points for | 1259 points against | 13 wins & 5 losses | WWLWW
Despite the Power having won five of their last six matches and sitting in the top four, their premiership credentials are still being questioned.
They are 0-4 against the other top five teams this season, but they’ve still managed to put themselves in a strong position with just four games to go.
They have the Lions and Swans nipping at their heels to book a top four spot so this is a game Port must win.
Team selection
Giants
IN: Toby Greene, James Peatling
OUT: Adam Kennedy (injured), Jake Riccardi (medi-sub), Tanner Bruhn (omitted)
Greene returns from his 14-day isolation period in a huge boost for the Giants. Defender James Peatling has been named for his debut after being picked up in the mid-season draft earlier this year.
Power
IN: Orazio Fantasia
OUT: Boyd Woodcock (omitted), Sam Mayes (omitted)
Small forward Fantasia returns from injury with Woodcock and Mayes dropping out.
Click here to view final teams.
Players to watch
Giants – Toby Greene
Greene has clearly been the Giants most dangerous forward this season and they desperately missed his ability inside 50 over the last two weeks.
Jesse Hogan has looked good when he’s played but the rest of their forward line hasn’t looked consistently threating at all this year.
It will be interesting to see how he returns having been stuck in isolation for a week and a half, but Greene is the most likely match winner for GWS if he returns in form.
Power – Charlie Dixon
Dixon has had his fair share of critics this season but he’s starting to put together a strong back half of the season.
He’s kicked 11 goals over the last four weeks but it’s also his imposing presence up forward that is so important for the Power.
They are starting to get some of their small forwards back so if Charlie doesn’t clunk the mark and brings it to ground, they should be able to capitalise.
Last 5 meetings
- 2020 Round 6 – Power 9.9 (63) defeat Giants6.10 (46) at Metricon Stadium
- 2019 Round 19 – Power 7.13 (55) defeated by Giants 8.8 (56) at Adelaide Oval
- 2018 Round 18 – Power 8.10 (58) defeated by Giants 11.14 (80) at Adelaide Oval
- 2017 Round 4 – Giants 16.16 (112) defeat Power11.15 (81) at Manuka Oval
- 2016 Round 18 – Power 9.6 (60) defeated by Giants 11.13 (79) at Adelaide Oval
GWS have a 4-1 record over the Power in their last five meetings, but Port did win the last match on the Gold Coast last year.
Pre match predictions
Giants stand tall: The GWS tall defenders in Davis, Haynes and Taylor to combine for 12 intercept marks.
Butters up: Zak Butters to return to his early season form with 20 disposals and a goal.
Click here for more match day information and COVID protocols.
