Cameron & McCarthy combination set to test SUNS defence

At the start of 2015, the Giants forward setup suddenly looked bare. Their deep cupboard full of trophies had lost some of its mystique with Tom Boyd pinched by the Western Bulldogs and Jon Patton on the comeback trail from a second knee reconstruction in two years. Fast-forward to now, Jeremy Cameron has recaptured the sparkling 2013 form that saw him emerge as the next big thing in the game and Cam McCarthy has risen from anonymity to stardom. The pair has combined for 73 goals this year, with Cameron 2nd in the Coleman medal race on 42 goals and McCarthy 11th on 31. As a one-two package, the duo in orange are ranked second for scoreboard impact behind West Coast pair Josh Kennedy (50 goals) and Mark LeCras (26 goals). To make the Giants ranking even more impressive, Sydney’s Bondi billionaires, Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett, have combined for 66 majors thus far. Steven May, Rory Thompson and the SUNS back six have a difficult afternoon ahead of them, especially given the fact the pair combined for nine goals when the two sides last met in round four.

Wright earns another taste of senior football

If Peter Wright was at a club in a traditional football state, his development would have been more closely examined by those outside the four walls of the football club. Just like Jesse Hogan’s was when he first arrived at Melbourne, and how St Kilda’s Patrick McCartin is being analysed this season. But away from a football fishbowl, Wright has come on in leaps and bounds since he tasted senior football last month. Last year’s pick No. 8 returned to NEAFL level after a two-game stint and has taken his game to a new level. After averaging five goals and 11 marks in the last fortnight, Wright replaces the injured Charlie Dixon inside forward 50. Expectations must be realistic, but he will definitely draw an opponent less experienced than Heath Grundy  or Luke McPharlin – his first two predominant opponents - given the Giants youthful back six, with Joel Patfull and Phil Davis still out injured.

Giants midfield depth and diversity a massive task for SUNS' depleted engine room

Greater Western Sydney’s ability to run and spread will have caused Rodney Eade and the football department some headaches this week, especially after the Western Bulldogs ran over the top of the SUNS in the second half last weekend. Key injuries to engine room personnel has been the tale of Gold Coast’s season, with the SUNS unable to match the majority of opponents for depth and class. The absence of David Swallow this weekend will set back the SUNS again, but just as it has been all season long, it’s a case of one step forward, one step backwards. In years to come, the Giants midfield department will be the envy of the competition. That is, if they can continue to keep them all together. Their even spread of inside bulls and outside class will be a difficult assignment for Gold Coast to quell, with Adam Treloar, Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene all in form. And then with Tom Scully, Lachie Whitfield and Devon Smith capable of cutting sides apart on the outside, the Giants possess a balanced midfield not far away from being one of the game’s best.

In the little master, we trust

With Swallow returning to the casualty ward and an abundance of midfield brilliance unavailable due to injury, Gary Ablett will be required to carry a greater load against the Giants on Saturday. The dual Brownlow medallist has been good without being great in his two return games, although his good is great. Ablett has collected 31 and 30 possessions in his first two games since returning from injury, along with an average of 9.5 clearances and 7.5 inside 50 entries. Given the depth and class of the Giants midfield, the eight-time All Australian will need to find another gear this weekend to help steer the SUNS to victory. He will find support in the likes of the consistent Michael Rischitelli, Mitch Hallahan and first-year sensation Touk Miller. The Giants ability to win the ball on the outside and cut opponents apart on transition will be an area of concern for the SUNS engine room, with GWS ranked 3rd for uncontested ball (240.6 per game) compared to Gold Coast’s 18th ranking (184.6).

Smith returns after extended absence

After a seven-match absence, Zac Smith has been brought in from the cold to be picked for his first game since the SUNS round seven loss to West Coast in Perth. With Tom Nicholls enjoying a sustained breakout season after teasing in recent years before being struck down by injury, Smith has been forced to break the door down for another opportunity. The ruckman will play predominantly in attack, as well as chopping out in the ruck at times to support Nicholls against GWS pair Rory Lobb and Tom Downie. After relinquishing the No. 1 ruck mantle at Metricon Stadium, Smith has strung together a period of dominance in the NEAFL, highlighted by his run of six successive games where Josh Fraser has named him in the reserves' best players, including a best on ground last weekend at Southport. With Nick Haynes and Aidan Corr in the key posts for the visitors, Eade will be hoping to stretch the Giants for height with Tom Lynch, Wright and Smith in attack, as well as swingman Sam Day.