A ‘good little rivalry’

That’s how Giants coach Leon Cameron framed what’s been brewing between the Dogs and the Giants in recent years when he spoke to the media this week.

There’s no doubt about it, this is beginning to shape up as one of the AFL’s next great rivalries.   

Last season’s preliminary final was probably the best game of 2016.  Not probably, it just was. A six-point final margin, after the Giants got ahead by 14 in the last quarter, a Grand Final berth at stake.   

It was an extraordinary day. On top of that, we’ve had player exchanges, some salty encounters on-field, and yes, even a cheeky Danny McGinlay banner.

But they’re good, these Giants, they may be very good, and whatever the result, the winner will be footy.  

#Clay50

It’s a long way from home but it’s fitting that Clay plays his 50^th game this week against GWS.

Smith’s four goal, best on ground performance during the aforementioned preliminary final in the wake of a personal tragedy was one of the bravest performances you’ll see on a sporting field.

Five days before lining up to play what was then the biggest game of his football life, Clay learned that he’d lost a close mate in a road accident.   His performance that day was impressive, but in this context, it was something else entirely.

As if overcoming three knee reconstructions before the age of 23 wasn’t enough, the toughness and character of this bloke knows no bounds.

Cheer hard for him this week, Bulldogs fans.

Top Dogs?

Based on the numbers, the Dogs have the sixth best defence in the AFL going into Friday night’s game, allowing 87.6 points per game, while the Giants boast the third highest scoring offence at 115.4, so something has to give.

After a 56-point loss to the Crows to open their season, GWS have been putting teams away to the tune of 54 points ever since, with Toby Greene (17 goals) and Jeremy Cameron (16 goals) the spearheads.

But the Dogs showed what they were capable of offensively in the second half against the Lions, putting up a 12 goal to two second half to end any hopes Brisbane had of spoiling the #Bob300 party.

Was that performance a sign of the Dogs hitting their straps, or a blip on the form radar?  The footy world can't wait to find out.

White Ribbon

While talk of on-field rivalries is all well and good, it's why we love the footy, Friday night is also a time where both clubs unite in an effort to stamp out the scourge that is domestic violence. 

The Dogs wore White Ribbon themed guernsey's last season on two occasions, once on a Friday night against Geelong, and then again for the return match on Whiten Ribbon Night at Simonds Stadium.  

This year, the Club will be working on building a long-term relationship with the Giants in support of this very important cause. 

Also, keep an eye out for Angela Barker and Simone O'Brien, both domestic violence victims, who'll be tossing the coin ahead of the first bounce - they're two of the most courageous women you'll ever meet.  

Click here to learn more about White Ribbon and how you can help prevent men's violence against women.