Preview First Semi-Final – GWS Giants vs Brisbane Lions, Saturday September 14, 7.40pm AEST, Engie Stadium

[Adam Giant]

Fair bit of talk about him across the media this week and the coach also stating he needs to lift.

Starcevich has had the wood on him recently too so it’s an unfriendly match-up.

 

[Andre the Giant]

Geez I reckon McMullin is stiff, X has experience but he hardly offered anything in terms of impact. Can only think he’s there if Cogs is quiet again and they need more like for like.

I love the way McMullin goes about it.

 

[sydney_gws]

It’s a massive risk just having him out there at all right now.

He should be sub then.

 

[Bjo187]

I was thinking with Toby and Daniels, with certain match ups they can go missing, it might be worth either throwing them in the midfield early to get some touches or use them in a role that helps the team, like a defensive forward role on zorko. So even if they're not winning their match up, they are helping the team nullify the opposition's most dangerous players.

 

[Section226]

If Coniglio starts, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Neale and/or Zorko target him with a bump or 3 to test out that shoulder as they take positions before the first bounce.

Assume XOH would be sub based on the team named, but my smoky is that Coniglio will be a late out, with XOH starting and McMullin as sub.

 

[GWS Goose]

McMullin stiff.

 

[GWS Goose]

So risky… he looks lame to me.

I thought he was no chance to play.

Time will tell if it is the right decision.

 

[Section226]

I thought he was no chance to play.

Time will tell if it is the right decision.

Whoever is on him has to keep him on the move constantly.

Couple of short bursts to add.

Really test him out.

 

[JC100]

Wouldn’t read too much into how they’re named on the team sheet.

I expect Coniglio will play more of a small forward role (McMullin’s spot) and less time in the middle given his shoulder problems.

But if you swap cogs for cumming in f50 then you still need another mid to rotate forward because cogs was already doing that with muff in the side and now he has been dropped

 

[Adam Giant]

Game 50 for Briggs. Go well big boy!

 

[Battlepants]

But if you swap cogs for cumming in f50 then you still need another mid to rotate forward because cogs was already doing that with muff in the side and now he has been dropped

Peatling will be the one to do that. We've used him forward a few times this year when we've been at full strength in the midfield.

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Game 50 for Briggs. Go well big boy!

And 50 for Finn too.

 

[Muji]

Hey guys, a mate of mine has 2x semi finals tickets to the game, unfortunately he can’t attend. The seats are row A section 208 at the engie stadium. Dm for more info. Tickets will be transferred at cost price.

 

[twhowler]

Hello giants fans

I am no Dlanod but i do find the giants quite likeable so come in peace etc

Shameless info question - is the Members stand going to be all giants? I opted for freebie tickets off a contact rather than pay so didn’t have a choice where haha

As for the game!

Briggs seems to slightly favour the shoulder but fit enough? I think oscar really struggles getting double teamed so the 2 rucks could be a big asset.

Payne on Hogan - it’s a risk. Shows how much we fear him i think. Payne was excellent in the first half so if he is fit i think he’s a big in vs last time. Harris was all at sea last time half worrying about Hogan too.

Greene worries me. All these headlines about his poor game, and lowest ever tally of possessions vs starcevich last time. Green will be fired up! Starce is in career best form but he’ll need to be.

Bedford to Neale but who to Zorko? I’m assuming he gets a very tight tag. Nobody else does what he does for us; Wilmot gives us good drive but Zorko just moves it on so quickly and fearlessly.

Midfield battle always goes a long way to deciding a game, but i think we need to win it to win, whereas you can probably be slightly down but still win the game through transition from half back / run and carry / players who kick straight! Our dark horse in there is Ashcroft, really getting back to form and thrived in the first final.

I think the challenge for us is we play kick mark and we are coming up against a team absolutely built for finals. Kingsley such a good coach too.

May the winner knock off the cats

 

[dlanod]

Shameless info question - is the Members stand going to be all giants? I opted for freebie tickets off a contact rather than pay so didn’t have a choice where haha

Members Stand seems to have been allocated to the Lions, based off those of us getting tickets through GWS ending up across the field from our normal seats.

 

[dlanod]

I was thinking with Toby and Daniels, with certain match ups they can go missing, it might be worth either throwing them in the midfield early to get some touches or use them in a role that helps the team, like a defensive forward role on zorko. So even if they're not winning their match up, they are helping the team nullify the opposition's most dangerous players.

With my Lions hat on, Daniels in the midfield really scares me. We have no real matchup for his speed and agility. We've already seen what he can do in the midfield when given real time there, and he could easily do it against the Lions too if Neale isn't getting first hands to the ball because of Bedford.

 

[Giant YoYo]

Members Stand seems to have been allocated to the Lions, based off those of us getting tickets through GWS ending up across the field from our normal seats.

There were Giants sections appearing for me for the 428 and 429 sections in upper members.

I also got a few at the bottom (225L and 225R from memory, cannot recall the others that appeared but there were a couple more). I ended up opting for upper members.

Might be some Lions sections either side of those I reckon.

 

[BarryAglett]

I'm starting to get excited for this game for the footy aspect.
Lots of great players and match ups.
I really think the Lions will try to match us with pressure and embrace chaos-ball.

 

[Battlepants]

Members Stand seems to have been allocated to the Lions, based off those of us getting tickets through GWS ending up across the field from our normal seats.

The seats I got are all in section 430. Though I had to select the most expensive bracket of tickets to get there ($101).

 

[Giant YoYo]

The seats I got are all in section 430. Though I had to select the most expensive bracket of tickets to get there ($101).

Glad to know section 430 is a Giants bay!

I am sitting in 429 adjacent to section 430. Paid the same also.

At the Swans game I was adjacent to the Swans section but would rather be in the thick of Giants sections

 

[GWS Goose]

Glad to know section 430 is a Giants bay!

I am sitting in 429 adjacent to section 430. Paid the same also.

At the Swans game I was adjacent to the Swans section but would rather be in the thick of Giants sections

all the tier 1 were gone by the time I got tickets at 10.30, Im in 406, which were the $80 tickets

 

[Giant Strides]

Glad to know section 430 is a Giants bay!

I am sitting in 429 adjacent to section 430. Paid the same also.

At the Swans game I was adjacent to the Swans section but would rather be in the thick of Giants sections

At the 2016 PF at the stadium, they alternated bays between the supporters of each club. Wasn't 100% a solid block of supporters in each bay, but seemed to be the effect they were trying to get.

 

[Giant Gutsache]

I’m liking the idea of Ash to Zorko as a defensive forward and Cumming to halfback.

 

[bossman111]

Can remember X playing defensive forward role earlier in the year on Tom Stewart, might be the go here

 

[GWS Goose]

Can remember X playing defensive forward role earlier in the year on Tom Stewart, might be the go here

that is far more likely than Ash.
Perhaps why he got the role over McMullin.
Peatling could play a defensive role as well.