SUMMARY
For non-Victorian flag fancies, games at the MCG are like gold, and the Giants might well transform into Rumpelstiltskins at the MCG on Saturday. Their clash with a so-far underwhelming Collingwood will be the first of only two games the Giants will play at the MCG, with their next appearance not until the final round against Melbourne. In their short history, the Giants have won just one of their 12 games at the MCG, but the visitors appear primed to capitalise on this southern jaunt, given their white-hot form against the Western Bulldogs in round one, which was in contrast with the Magpies’ shambolic effort against Hawthorn. GWS boasts stars all over the field, particularly in the midfield and forward. The Pies will at least fancy their chances in the middle, but their chief issue has been using the ball to advantage.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, March 31, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2017, GWS 15.12 (102) d Collingwood 15.9 (99) at Spotless Stadium
R16, 2016, Collingwood 19.11 (125) d GWS 14.9 (93) at Spotless Stadium
R11, 2015, Collingwood 18.11 (119) d GWS 11.11 (77) at the MCG
R22, 2014, Collingwood 11.9 (75) d GWS 9.13 (67) at Spotless Stadium
R18, 2013, Collingwood 15.16 (106) d GWS Giants 10.6 (66) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Giants have a poor record at the MCG, winning just one of their 12 games there. Their only victory was against Melbourne late in 2014, and they have lost their five subsequent games at the venue.
2. In their most recent encounter, at Spotless Stadium last year, Steve Johnson kicked a last-gasp goal to give the Giants the points.
3. The Giants' thrilling victory last year was their first over Collingwood, which had been victorious in their previous five clashes.
4. GWS ranked second for inside 50s in the opening round with 69 – well clear of the Magpies' 58 (10th). The Giants also tallied the highest score.
5. Against Hawthorn, Collingwood had fewer disposals, marks, scoring shots and inside 50s. But it could have been worse, given they laid more tackles, dominated the hit-outs and won the clearances.
6. GWS star Lachie Whitfield continues to climb the Schick AFL Player Ratings, rising to a career-best ranking of No.66 in a new role off half-back. Before returning from a long-term suspension in round eight last year he was down at No.187.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Blond jet Adam Treloar meets his old club at a potentially critical early juncture in his career. In the loss to Hawthorn, Treloar in some ways symbolised the Pies' main problem – he had no issues winning the ball but he didn't use it well enough, delivering a team-high 33 possessions at a team-low efficiency of just 42.4 per cent. The gut-running midfielder needs to sharpen his kicking, which remains the only real chink in his armour.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 39 points
