The Giants have had two disappointing weeks of football and now face Collingwood off the bye, but they do have a strong recent record against the Magpies. Are they capable of an upset?<\/p>\n
The Giants have been smashed by injuries early in the 2026 season and it only gets worse with Jack Buckley ruled out for this clash.<\/p>\n
Collingwood have had their struggles up forward to start the season and despite sitting 1-1, they\u2019re averaging just 79 points per game in a season where scoring has increased significantly.<\/p>\n
Will the Collingwood forwards find their rhythm, or can the Giants build on the momentum from their strong last quarter last week?<\/p>\n
The Giants have an outstanding record against Collingwood despite entering nine of their last ten meetings as underdogs. GWS have won six of those games and, more importantly, covered the line in nine of the ten.<\/p>\n
Buckley\u2019s injury is a big blow to their key defensive stocks, but Collingwood\u2019s forward line hasn\u2019t been firing early this season.<\/p>\n
Adam Kingsley\u2019s side will be determined to respond after last week\u2019s loss, and their last-quarter performance showed they\u2019re still capable of competing despite the injury list.<\/p>\n
You can almost pencil Whitfield in for 25+ disposals each week, and playing under the roof at Marvel Stadium should suit his outside game perfectly.<\/p>\n
Whitfield has recorded 25+ disposals in 50 of his last 56 games, including in his last four games against Collingwood.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also hit 25+ in all three games this season.<\/p>\n
Sidebottom is averaging 16 disposals per game to start the season, which gives us a bit of value at the 15+ line.<\/p>\n
Despite the lower numbers early, he has still hit 15+ in both games this season and has reached 15+ disposals in 15 of his last 16 games overall.<\/p>\n
With the Giants\u2019 key defensive stocks under pressure with Taylor and Buckley out and Aleer still in the VFL, Collingwood\u2019s key forwards get a good opportunity to find some form.<\/p>\n
Membrey hasn\u2019t set the world on fire to start the season but has still had opportunities, kicking three behinds in Round 0 and 1.1 against Adelaide.<\/p>\n
He kicked at least one goal in 13 of his last 15 games in 2025 and should hit the scoreboard here.<\/p>\n