Who's the best expansion club? Giants, Suns test mettle
Interstate bragging rights, a top-eight spot and a post-bye curse - there's plenty on the line in the so-called Expansion Cup.
As GWS look to head into their mid-season bye with back-to-back wins, a refreshed Gold Coast outfit is out to reignite their season with a smash-and-grab mission at Engie Stadium on Sunday in the interstate clash between the AFL's two youngest sides.
The clash looms as the biggest to date between them: GWS are seventh (8-6), while Gold Coast have shaken their status as rank outsiders to be sixth (8-6).
The Giants boast a 14-5 record against the Suns and Adam Kingsley's men will hope to pull off a Queensland complete sweep after pulling off an upset over Brisbane in enemy territory.
Their top-eight spot could come into question if a defeat is coupled with wins by eighth-placed Fremantle (8-5) over Essendon and ninth-placed Western Bulldogs (7-6) over Richmond.
Should the Giants fall short against the Suns, redemption would have to wait after their round-16 bye.
Damien Hardwick's charges are boasting fresh legs after a timely bye.
The Suns were left licking their wounds after back-to-back wins, losing to the Dockers by 11 points before a 24-point defeat to Geelong.
But a weekend off doesn't necessarily pose as an advantage for the Suns, who have not won half of their post-bye matchs since their inaugural season in 2011.
Still, Giants midfielder Xavier O'Halloran won't make the mistake of underestimating the Suns - given their record-breaking start to the season.
"They're obviously going really well at the moment so they've got a great side," O'Halloran told AAP.
"We will do our best during the week to prepare for it, and hopefully come out on Sunday and get the job done.
"It would be nice to go into the bye with another win."
A blockbuster engine room fight is set to take place at Engie Stadium.
While the Giants hope the inclusion of star Toby Greene (glute) will perfectly complement midfielders Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, the Suns will boast quality in skipper Noah Anderson, midfield bull Matt Rowell and Touk Miller.
Small forward Brent Daniels, who has often been deployed in the Giants midfield, has suffered an adductor issue and joins veterans Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward on the sidelines.
All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is also out after fracturing his toe.
The Suns have made three changes, with winger Lachie Weller returning from a hamstring injury to play his 150th game.
Ethan Read and Connor Budarick return, while Sean Lemmens, David Swallow and Leo Lombard make way.
Giants player O'Halloran is also pushing his case in the midfield after cementing himself in Kingsley's best 22.
The 24-year-old has been called upon by Kingsley in 13 matches so far and is set to eclipse his career-best tally of 19 games played.
"I've just tried to grab that with both hands and do as best I can," O'Halloran said.
"The downside of it is seeing your mates go injured and have time away from footy.
"But it opens up opportunities and I've been fortunate enough to have that through the midfield this year."
Interstate bragging rights, a top-eight spot and a post-bye curse - there's plenty on the line in the so-called Expansion Cup.
As GWS look to head into their mid-season bye with back-to-back wins, a refreshed Gold Coast outfit is out to reignite their season with a smash-and-grab mission at Engie Stadium on Sunday in the interstate clash between the AFL's two youngest sides.
The clash looms as the biggest to date between them: GWS are seventh (8-6), while Gold Coast have shaken their status as rank outsiders to be sixth (8-6).
The Giants boast a 14-5 record against the Suns and Adam Kingsley's men will hope to pull off a Queensland complete sweep after pulling off an upset over Brisbane in enemy territory.
Their top-eight spot could come into question if a defeat is coupled with wins by eighth-placed Fremantle (8-5) over Essendon and ninth-placed Western Bulldogs (7-6) over Richmond.
Should the Giants fall short against the Suns, redemption would have to wait after their round-16 bye.
Damien Hardwick's charges are boasting fresh legs after a timely bye.
The Suns were left licking their wounds after back-to-back wins, losing to the Dockers by 11 points before a 24-point defeat to Geelong.
But a weekend off doesn't necessarily pose as an advantage for the Suns, who have not won half of their post-bye matchs since their inaugural season in 2011.
Still, Giants midfielder Xavier O'Halloran won't make the mistake of underestimating the Suns - given their record-breaking start to the season.
"They're obviously going really well at the moment so they've got a great side," O'Halloran told AAP.
"We will do our best during the week to prepare for it, and hopefully come out on Sunday and get the job done.
"It would be nice to go into the bye with another win."
A blockbuster engine room fight is set to take place at Engie Stadium.
While the Giants hope the inclusion of star Toby Greene (glute) will perfectly complement midfielders Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, the Suns will boast quality in skipper Noah Anderson, midfield bull Matt Rowell and Touk Miller.
Small forward Brent Daniels, who has often been deployed in the Giants midfield, has suffered an adductor issue and joins veterans Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward on the sidelines.
All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is also out after fracturing his toe.
The Suns have made three changes, with winger Lachie Weller returning from a hamstring injury to play his 150th game.
Ethan Read and Connor Budarick return, while Sean Lemmens, David Swallow and Leo Lombard make way.
Giants player O'Halloran is also pushing his case in the midfield after cementing himself in Kingsley's best 22.
The 24-year-old has been called upon by Kingsley in 13 matches so far and is set to eclipse his career-best tally of 19 games played.
"I've just tried to grab that with both hands and do as best I can," O'Halloran said.
"The downside of it is seeing your mates go injured and have time away from footy.
"But it opens up opportunities and I've been fortunate enough to have that through the midfield this year."
Interstate bragging rights, a top-eight spot and a post-bye curse - there's plenty on the line in the so-called Expansion Cup.
As GWS look to head into their mid-season bye with back-to-back wins, a refreshed Gold Coast outfit is out to reignite their season with a smash-and-grab mission at Engie Stadium on Sunday in the interstate clash between the AFL's two youngest sides.
The clash looms as the biggest to date between them: GWS are seventh (8-6), while Gold Coast have shaken their status as rank outsiders to be sixth (8-6).
The Giants boast a 14-5 record against the Suns and Adam Kingsley's men will hope to pull off a Queensland complete sweep after pulling off an upset over Brisbane in enemy territory.
Their top-eight spot could come into question if a defeat is coupled with wins by eighth-placed Fremantle (8-5) over Essendon and ninth-placed Western Bulldogs (7-6) over Richmond.
Should the Giants fall short against the Suns, redemption would have to wait after their round-16 bye.
Damien Hardwick's charges are boasting fresh legs after a timely bye.
The Suns were left licking their wounds after back-to-back wins, losing to the Dockers by 11 points before a 24-point defeat to Geelong.
But a weekend off doesn't necessarily pose as an advantage for the Suns, who have not won half of their post-bye matchs since their inaugural season in 2011.
Still, Giants midfielder Xavier O'Halloran won't make the mistake of underestimating the Suns - given their record-breaking start to the season.
"They're obviously going really well at the moment so they've got a great side," O'Halloran told AAP.
"We will do our best during the week to prepare for it, and hopefully come out on Sunday and get the job done.
"It would be nice to go into the bye with another win."
A blockbuster engine room fight is set to take place at Engie Stadium.
While the Giants hope the inclusion of star Toby Greene (glute) will perfectly complement midfielders Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, the Suns will boast quality in skipper Noah Anderson, midfield bull Matt Rowell and Touk Miller.
Small forward Brent Daniels, who has often been deployed in the Giants midfield, has suffered an adductor issue and joins veterans Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward on the sidelines.
All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is also out after fracturing his toe.
The Suns have made three changes, with winger Lachie Weller returning from a hamstring injury to play his 150th game.
Ethan Read and Connor Budarick return, while Sean Lemmens, David Swallow and Leo Lombard make way.
Giants player O'Halloran is also pushing his case in the midfield after cementing himself in Kingsley's best 22.
The 24-year-old has been called upon by Kingsley in 13 matches so far and is set to eclipse his career-best tally of 19 games played.
"I've just tried to grab that with both hands and do as best I can," O'Halloran said.
"The downside of it is seeing your mates go injured and have time away from footy.
"But it opens up opportunities and I've been fortunate enough to have that through the midfield this year."
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