GWS Giants midfielder Tom Green says heโs looking forward to the challenge of coming home to take on the undefeated Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval on Friday night, 23 April.
Many were writing the Giants off after an 0-3 start to the season, but back-to-back upset wins over the Magpies and Swans has reignited their season.
They now face the top of the ladder Bulldogs in what will be their biggest challenge of the season so far, and Green says his side is ready to cause another boilover.
โThis weekend we look forward to a challenge in the Western Bulldogs who are going really well at the minute,โ said Green.
โWeโve got great confidence that at our second home in Canberra weโll be able to knock the Bulldogs off.โ
Heading home
After losing his first AFL game in Canberra against the Demons at Manuka Oval in Round 3, former Marist College student Green is looking forward to having another crack at his home ground.
โIโm super excited,โ he said.
โI got to do it for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing running out in front of the home crowd on the home deck.
โThe turnout we get is always fantastic so anytime we can play there Iโm really excited for that opportunity.
โIt makes it that little bit sweeter that Iโm a Canberra boy.โ
The rivalry
While the Giants have a healthy rivalry with their cross-town opponents the Swans, their fiercest clashes have been against the Dogs.
There has been extra resentment between the sides ever since their epic Preliminary Final battle in 2016 which has seen the tension boil over in recent meetings.
Green couldnโt hide the look of excitement on his face when asked about the rivalry, however he said they had to be careful not to overstep the mark.
โWeโve built a really strong rivalry over the last 5 years and itโs a game everyone really looks forward to.
โTheyโre a great challenge and a really good team at the moment so weโd love to get in there and knock them off.โ
โI know a fair bit is made of the Giants and Bulldogs rivalry and you saw that game last year and thereโs a bit in the contest.
โIt will be my first time playing the Bulldogs so Iโm really looking forward to it.
โLast year a bit of ill-discipline probably hurt us early in the game, so that will be a real focus.
โYou want to fly the flag and look after your teammates, but you canโt be doing stuff thatโs going to detract from us winning the game.โ
The midfield battle
Green will be coming up against a star-studded midfield featuring the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar and said thatโs where the Giants need to be at their best to win.
โThe Bulldogs have a really strong midfield and theyโve got a lot of guys in really good form,โ Green said.
โFor us as a team in starts at the centre bounce and at the coal face taking care of business inside. โ
โWhen we get that going, we can beat anyone in the comp.โ
Green was a surprising omission from the Giants side after round one but has since come back into the side and starred over the past two weeks.
The big-bodied midfielder says playing in his preferred position has given him more confidence at the level.
โAs I get more opportunity in there in my preferred position as an inside mid, I feel more comfortable at the level and Iโm able to contribute more,โ he said.
โIt was nice on the weekend to contribute in a good win and play my role.โ
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