DETAILS: Melbourne v GWS Giants

DATE: Saturday 12 February

TIME: 4:10pm (AEDT)

LOCATION: Casey Fields

BROADCAST: Fox Footy and Kayo Sports

GAME DAY GUIDE: Available here. 

TICKETS: Available here.
Due to current COVID-19 precautions, tickets are no longer available for purchase at the gate and must be obtained prior to attending the match.

LAST TIME WE MET: Semi Final, 2020 | Melbourne v GWS Giants
It’s been a long time between dances for these two sides. 691 days to be exact. It was a semi-final battle to remember for Melbourne.

Travelling to GWS territory, the Demons were equal with the home side up until the third term, when the Giants opened the game up with back-to-back goals. Melbourne was left trailing by 14 points at the final break.

A burst of energy in the last quarter, led by the likes of Karen Paxman, Daisy Pearce and Libby Birch, saw the momentum switch, with the Demons kicking two unanswered goals, and bringing the deficit to within three points with three minutes left on the clock.

And while it was a full ground effort from Melbourne, it was Lily Mithen who was the hero at the end of the day, scoring the game-winning goal with 25 seconds to go. The Demons left GIANTS Stadium with a three-point win and a spot in the Preliminary Final.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Melbourne
Megan Fitzsimon
This young Demon has really come into her own this season, having not missed a game since Round 1. Not only has she featured in every line-up, but she’s continued to develop her craft as a quick and versatile player, who can impact the match from various spots on the field. Coming off a Rising Star nomination in Round 3, Fitzsimon will be on the radar off opposition sides to come.

Eliza West
In just her first year at the club, West has quickly become a constant in the Demons’ line-up. Her strength and natural athletic ability make her the perfect inside-mid, often seen breaking through stoppages and providing defence across the field, currently averaging 4.5 tackles a game. Working closely with Melbourne stalwart Karen Paxman, West will continue to develop into a well-rounded midfielder.

Gabby Colvin
This season, Colvin has been a reliable member of Melbourne’s backline, faced with the challenge of locking down the opposition’s key forwards. The defender’s determination and resilience in the contest have always been her strength and will continue to be a valued element to the side.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: GWS Giants
Nicola Barr
Of the four games the Giants have played this season, Barr has featured in the side’s best on three occasions, showing how important she is to their squad. Her experience in the league is highly respected within the club, having debuted in the inaugural season in 2017. Barr can provide run out of defence but has shown that she also has the skills to work across the field, becoming an unexpected three-goal player in their Round 4 win over the Western Bulldogs.

Cora Staunton
Staunton has been a talent of the game since her league debut back in 2018. She has a decorated background in Gaelic Football and has used this experience to create a successful individual AFLW career. Having already kicked six goals over her four games, the tall forward will be a tough challenge for the Demons’ defence.

Chloe Dalton
An athlete in every sense of the word, Dalton brings a lot to the table for the Giants. An Australian Olympian in the Rugby 7s, the 27-year-old has speed and agility on her side. While she hasn’t seen a lot of footy this season, due to injury and the AFL’s Health and Safety protocols, if she is to make her return on Saturday, she will be sure to bring competitiveness to the GWS starting 21.

COACH’S VIEW:
“Coming off a disappointing result in Round 4, last week saw us execute key areas we had worked on, mainly around our contest and competitiveness,” Stinear said.

“This week will see another challenge against a fierce opponent in GWS. We expect a tight tussle in the middle, so we’ll need to remain composed and clean around the ball.

“We look forward to returning to Casey Fields again and playing some good footy in front of our Demon fans.”