Clayton Oliver and the GWS Giants are set to take on the Geelong Cats on 06 Jul at ENGIE Stadium. The Giants are confident after a big win, while the Cats have struggled with inconsistent form.
What's at Stake?
The midfield battle will be crucial, with Oliver and the Giants possessing enormous depth around stoppages. They rank second in the AFL for disposals this season.
Key Players
Jake Stringer rediscovered his best football last weekend and shapes as a nightmare matchup for the Cats. Geelong still have Shannon Neale, Patrick Dangerfield, and Jeremy Cameron capable of turning the match.
Recent History
GWS have won the past four meetings between the clubs, including a 26-point win at ENGIE Stadium last season. The Cats have struggled with interstate form, losing four of their last five away games.
The Giants have been up and down this season but remain one of the competition's most dangerous transition teams. They prefer to move the ball quickly through the corridor, which could lead to a high-scoring shootout.
Oliver, along with Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, will be key to the Giants' chances. They need to win the clearance battle and generate repeat inside 50s to give their forwards plenty of opportunities.
The Cats' biggest concern remains their interstate form. They have travelled four times this season and returned home without a victory. ENGIE Stadium has also proven a difficult venue for visiting sides.
GWS have won the past four matches between the two sides, with three of those wins coming by less than 10 points. The most recent encounter was at ENGIE Stadium last season, with the Giants winning by 26 points.
Shannon Neale kicked five goals the last time the two sides met, while Jake Stringer kicked seven goals last weekend. The stage is set for an exciting matchup between two of the AFL's top teams.
The total points have averaged 194 in GWS' five matches at ENGIE Stadium this season. In Geelong's matches in 2026, the total points have averaged over 180.
Clayton Oliver will be looking to make an impact in the midfield battle. The Giants are well-placed to prevail in the 1-39 points bracket, with Oliver playing a key role in their chances.
The game is set to be a high-scoring shootout, with both teams possessing genuine match-winners. The Giants are confident after a big win, and Oliver will be looking to lead them to victory over the Cats.