ROUND 10

Saturday, June 9, 2018

GWS GIANTS (9th) v Gold Coast SUNS (7th) at Spotless Stadium, 1.10pm
*Click here to watch the game live on NEAFL TV 
*Live Champion Data statistics available on the Official NEAFL App

SUMMARY

After a six-game losing streak between Round 2 and Round 7, the GIANTS have turned their fortunes around and have won back-to-back games for the first time since the 2016 finals series.

The GIANTS will host a plucky Gold Coast SUNS outfit, who have had a few disappointing results this season, yet have also beaten two top four sides including the Sydney Swans and last week upset the Southport Sharks by 14 points.

Gold Coast can possibly enter the top six if they win but they will need to overcome a GIANTS side whose mid-season resurgence has given them hope for a finals spot.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 2, 2018: Gold Coast Suns 14.9 (93) def GWS GIANTS 11.6 (72)
Round 18, 2017: Gold Coast Suns 15.13 (103) def GWS GIANTS 10.12 (72)
Round 6, 2017: Gold Coast Suns 18.14 (122) def GWS GIANTS 10.11 (71)

TALKING POINTS

1. Taggers have been all the rage this season in the AFL with some of the competitions best players kept to low numbers. Ball magnet Michael Barlow has been in blistering form in the NEAFL this season, averaging incredible numbers of 42.8 disposals with 20 of those being contested, nine clearances, 6.5 tackles and 4,3 inside 50s. With Barlow ruled out due to a fractured jaw this week, it will be interesting to see how the SUNS midfield go without the prolific ball magnet.

2. GIANTS ruckman Dawson Simpson has been very impressive in the last two weeks and a contributing factor to both those victories. GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider described him as “a freak” whose “spirit around the boys is second to none.” Dawson Simpson had 33 hit-outs against the NT Thunder last week and 25 hit-outs the week before against Redland. If Simpson can have another strong performance and give the GIANTS’ elite midfield first chance at the footy on Saturday, it will go a long way to the GIANTS securing victory.

3. The Gold Coast SUNS had double the amount of clearances than their opponent’s Southport last week. The SUNS had 55 clearances to 27 with Jarryd Lyons (10 clearances), Michael Barlow (9), Brodie Foster (8) and Brad Scheer (5) among the many SUNS players who stood out in the midfield. The SUNS dominant AFL-listed midfield will be the players to look out for on Saturday afternoon.

STATS THAT MATTER

The GIANTS and the SUNS are ranked ninth and tenth respectively for inside 50s. The GIANTS average 44.4 per game whereas the SUNS average 42.9 per game. Both sides have no trouble with scoring from inside 50s, with the GIANTS and SUNS scoring a goal with around one in every five entries. Whichever side can get the most amount of inside 50s on Saturday may secure victory.

PREDICTION

Gold Coast by 13 points

TEAM