Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
The GWS Giants will treat Sunday’s match against the Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium as another final as they attempt to revive their 2026 AFL campaign. Back-to-back victories over the Fremantle Dockers and Geelong Cats have kept their hopes alive with six home-and-away rounds remaining.
The GWS Giants sit 11th with an 8-9 record and remain outside the top 10 on percentage. The St Kilda Saints hold the final wildcard position on the same 32 points, while the ninth-placed Geelong Cats have 36.
Another team building late-season momentum is the Adelaide Crows, where Izak Rankine is leading their finals push under an underdog banner.
Xavier O’Halloran demands urgency
“Our need is to play our best footy now,” Xavier O’Halloran said.
The midfielder knows ladder positions offer little certainty after an inconsistent season from the GWS Giants. They have beaten several leading teams but also dropped points in matches they were expected to win.
“There’s not much room for error for us We treat it like it’s life or death every week, especially towards the back end of the year when footy matters most,” Xavier O’Halloran said.
Milestone arrives against Essendon Bombers
Xavier O’Halloran will play his 100th AFL game against the same club he faced on debut in 2020. The 26-year-old reached the milestone later than expected after missing nine weeks with a high-grade ankle syndesmosis injury.
“It was my first time going under for surgery,” Xavier O’Halloran said.
Xavier O’Halloran admitted that being separated from the daily action at the club was the hardest part of his recovery. His return has strengthened the midfield at the right time for the finals chase.
Injury concerns remain
The GWS Giants hope Lachie Whitfield will clear concussion protocols before Sunday, while Leek Aleer could return from a groin injury. Phoenix Gothard will miss time with a shoulder problem.
Darcy Jones and Max Gruzewski remain at least three weeks away, while Jake Riccardi is expected to miss another four weeks. Match dates and times are available through the official AFL fixture page.
