Giants v Eagles My Preview
Saturday night’s clash between the Giants and the Eagles should be an interesting tussle. The Eagles looked gone in last week’s Elimination Final last Saturday night. For the Giants the game looked gone during the second quarter. They suffered two injuries to their tall stocks; ruckman Shane Mumford and key forward Jeremy Cameron. However, this could mean that the Giants have more run, as they have resisted the temptation to bring in a tall with Dawson Simpson being named as an emergency. Instead they have turned to experienced campaigner Steve Johnson and youngster Tim Taranto. The Eagles have also added run to their side, with the inclusion of former magpie Sharrod Wellingham.
Rory Lobb should get more of an opportunity in the ruck, due to the injury of veteran Shane Mumford. This may see forward Jonathon Patton play as the second ruckman. That may not be a bad thing, as it may take the pressure off him. The Eagles will look to Nathan Vardy to be the dominant ruckman, with the assistance of Drew Petrie, to play the back up ruck role.
Whoever has more of an impact between Cripps and Lecras, versus the smalls of Grenne and de Boer, could be instrumental in deciding the final result. Meanwhile, in the midfield the likes of Redden and Hutchings will have to play their role in order for the Eagles to be on the right side of the ledger. Hopper and Shiel will be critical from the Giants point of view. As far as run out of the backline is concerned, the Eagles will look to the likes of Duggan and Wellingham. The Giants will rely on Zac Williams and Heath Shaw.
The game will be intriguing, because both teams have a point to prove; the Giants will look to substantiate that they deserved the double chance handed to them for their top four birth, while the Eagles will looking to prove that last week wasn’t a fluke. Whatever the result, expect an exciting, fierce and fast contest.
Giants Game Changer: Josh Kelly
Eagles Game Changer: Andrew Gaff
My Prediction: Eagles