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As the GWS Giants enter their first AFL season, many are pondering whether they will finish the year winless. Could it happen?
The Recap
Last year: 12-5, 3rd in NEAFL East Conference
Key additions: Tom Scully (Melbourne), Phil Davis (Adelaide), Callan Ward (Western Bulldogs), Rhys Palmer (Fremantle), Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide), Dean Brogan (Port Adelaide), Sam Reid (Western Bulldogs), Setanta O’Hailpin (Carlton)
Analysis
Let’s get the obvious out the way: winning will be an incredibly difficult task for Greater Western Sydney this year.
Sure, people said that about Gold Coast last year and they ended up with a respectable three wins. On the surface though, there are a few nagging differences.
Where the Suns spent big on getting Gary Ablett, the Giants threw the bank at Tom Scully.
Where the Suns got the 28 year-old Nathan Bock, the Giants got the 21 year-old Phil Davis.
Where the Suns got Michael Rischitelli and Jared Brennan, the Giants got Callan Ward and Rhys Palmer.
Granted, Scully might develop into the next Ablett, and Davis could actually be closer to Bock than we all think, but the point is these guys aren’t there yet. The plan is for them to peak a little further down the track, which is smart from a list management perspective but not so smart from a winning early perspective.
For all that, though, the Giants do bat deeper than the Suns did when it comes to experienced players. They’ve also got Chad Cornes, Setanta O’Hailpin, Sam Reid, Luke Power, James McDonald and Dean Brogan, plus a number of mature-age recruits.
Having these players scattered around the ground will certainly be advantageous.
An experienced coaching staff is another tick the Giants have in their favour. With two premiership coaches running the show in Kevin Sheedy and Mark Williams, we shouldn’t discount the impact smarts in the coaches box will have this season.
Plus, if you haven’t already heard, the Giants didn’t look too bad in their NAB Cup clashes with the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, so the initial dramas over the top end of the list might not mean a winless season is on the cards after all.
Down back, Davis will need to be that Bock-type rock, which is a big ask but one he may just be up for if the NAB Cup is a guide. Cornes still has something to give and will be the other leader in defence.
Beyond that, it’ll be up to largely unknowns, but there’s still some experience there. Tim Mohr, at 196cm and 23, comes from the VFL is exactly the type of recruit GWS needed. Reid, at 188cm and 22, is another strong body to throw into the mix.
From there it’ll be up to the kids. Watch out for Matthew Buntine, Sam Darley and Tom Bugg here.
In the middle, GWS have really loaded up on talent. So much so, you wonder where they all fit.
Ward is a good pick-up and should continue to improve at his new home. Scully has a lot of upside and will be very good once he can put his knee troubles behind him. Palmer lacks an accurate kick but still has a place in a team such as this.
Again, the Giants have bridged the gap with mature-age players. The 24 year-old Stephen Clifton looks the goods and there’s also the 20 year-old Anthony Miles. Both averaged more than 100 Champion Data ranking points last year in the NEAFL.
When you get stuck into the youngsters there’s a seemingly endless list of potential guns: Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Liam Sumner, Stephen Coniglio, Dom Tyson and Will Hoskin-Elliot. All have the potential to not only be stars of the competition, but to put together very solid debut seasons as well.
Setting them all up in the ruck will be two former Port Adelaide ruckmen, the 24 year-old Jon Giles and the experienced Brogan.
Up front, initially the key forwards will be O’Hailpin and Israel Folau, so predicting what might happen is a difficult task. One issue the pair may face is a lack of quality delivery, something that the media might conveniently overlook when discussing Folau’s performances.
When No. 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton has recovered from his knee surgery he’ll join them, although I think we can all appreciate the recent history when it comes to key forwards that either went No. 1 (Jack Watts) or were touted to (Tom Hawkins). They take time to develop.
Rookie Rhys Cooyou (21) impressed on the weekend, as did youngsters Curtly Hampton and Adam Tomlinson. Expect to see a few of the aforementioned future midfield guns get their start up forward.
On the surface, things don’t look good for the Giants. But to focus on what they’ve done at the top of the list, and thus ignore their collection of mature-age recruits and underestimate what the young players are capable of, might not be so wise.
They’ll register a win at some point. It won’t come easy, but it’ll happen.
Prediction: 18th
m0nty’s Fantasy Picks
Keeper: Jonathan Giles is wildly popular with fantasy coaches because he’s mature-aged, solid, and the Giants don’t have much else. In a team which will provide few fantasy keepers, he’s an obvious one.
Cash cow: Half the Giants list qualifies here! Matthew Buntine, Tim Mohr, Dylan Shiel, Stephen Clifton, Anthony Miles, Dom Tyson, Adam Treloar, Jeremy Cameron, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Nick Haynes… even Israel Folau could earn you cash, though not as much as Izzy himself is making! James McDonald qualifies here too, due to his outrageously low price.
Fool’s gold: Don’t assume that the mercenary senior players who aren’t natural scorers will have fantasy-worthy years at their new club. Phil Davis, Rhys Palmer, Chad Cornes, Setanta O’hAilpin… avoid.
GWS Giants photo gallery
First five fixtures
Round 1 vs. Sydney, ANZ
Round 2 vs. North Melbourne, Blundstone
Round 3 vs. West Coast, Blacktown
Round 4 vs. Adelaide, AAMI
Round 5 vs. Western Bulldogs, Manuka
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