After losing their first-round pick as punishment for the club’s role in Lachie Whitfield missing a drug test earlier in the year, the Giants were eager to get back into the first round of the draft.
They managed to do so by snaring Essendon’s pick 11 in exchange for Devon Smith and a swap of later picks. They then traded inside midfielder Matt Kennedy to Carlton in exchange for pick 28 and defender Nathan Wilson to Fremantle for a second-round pick.
The latter was a disappointing result for the club, given Wilson has blossomed into one of the competition’s best running defenders in the past few seasons. Overall, though, GWS should be happy with the position they find themselves in leading into the draft.
Outlook
Draft picks: 11, 27, 28, 57
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
What they need
Losing Smith and Steve Johnson (retired) has left them short on smaller, crumbing forwards. Shane Mumford and Tom Downie’s retirements will also have them thinking about another developing ruckman, while they could also use another running half-back and third-tall forward.
Who they might consider
At pick 11, Jack Higgins would be a perfect fit. He’s a small forward who is one of the most dedicated and professional players in the draft and has a great footy IQ. He kicked 32 goals in 14 games this year and won the Morrish Medal as the best player in the TAC Cup this year.
Darcy Fogarty could also be an option as a third tall forward, while Lochie O’Brien offers some pace off half-back, but pick 11 may be slightly too early for him. Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield would also be classy, polished selections.
Picks 27 and 28 are interesting. Sam Hayes is the best ruckman in the pool, but whether or not he’ll be available around those selections will be one of the interesting factors of draft night. On talent he’s worth a top-20 pick, but clubs have shown a preference in recent times to either draft or trade for mature-aged ruckmen. If Hayes is there at these picks, he’d be a good pick up for the club.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Draft/trade strategy
This is the first year since the club’s inception that they don’t have a top-10 pick. After four or five years of aggressive trading for high draft picks in return, GWS seem to be starting to settle into more of a normal rhythm as they solidify their list for the future.
The club’s strategy in recent years has been to acquire high draft picks and then trade out these players a few years later. Since their inception in 2012, GWS have traded or delisted players who would be considered first choice at other clubs, including: Tom Bugg, Jack Hombsch, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Rhys Palmer, Wilson, Curtly Hampton, Smith, Dom Tyson, Jacob Townsend, Jonathan O’Rourke, Lachie Plowman, Caleb Marchbank, Paul Ahern, Jarod Pickett, James Stewart, Tom Boyd, Cam McCarthy, and Jack Steele.
That’s a heck of a lot of talent out the door. Rather than stockpiling high picks to use on highly ranked youngsters, only to trade them a few years later to free up cap space or for another high pick, the club this year will take a more sedate approach.
For the first time in a long time GWS also have no academy players eligible to be drafted this year. Based on their general approach to trading and drafting in recent years, having to draft their academy players has made GWS more reactive than proactive.
GWS have chosen to select their academy players possibly without giving thought to their list balance as a whole, which has led to a glut of players in some positions, mainly in the midfield. Not having that option this year means that the club might be more inclined to select players based on need, rather than just trying to acquire more talent.
Not having early picks or academy players means that GWS recruiters will, for really the first time, be forced to use their recruiting nous and prowess to select good players rather than having an obvious choice. This draft is an important one for the Giants as they look to both consolidate their list and bring in more young players. If they get this draft right, it may go a long way to helping them win their inaugural premiership.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
They need a coach. With this list they should have appointed a decent coach.
Stirling Coates
Editor
Nathan Wilson is an enormous loss, I really don't think enough of a deal has been made of that.
Nick
Guest
"For the first time in a long time GWS also have no academy players eligible to be drafted this year." They have Nick Shipley and Jack Powell don't they?
Mark
Guest
No one has done that before. 10 points for originality.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
GWS would really benefit from getting more hard-nosed grunt into their list. It's probably good for them to be free of top 10 expectations and instead go for someone who may not be as fancy, but is selected based on a higher steely determination to talent ratio. On that score they should also look to hoover up some mature talent around the place, I'd put up Nick Suban of the ex-Dockers crew being a better fit than Clarke. Clarke is more a finesse player with his basketball background and maybe not assertive enough for what the Giants need. Hopefully, Zac ends up somewhere that nurtures his confidence (crucial for a player who relies a lot on his athletic attributes) and if his body is sound there's every likelihood he'll return to the form that saw him as one of the top marking ruckmen in the AFL.
Tom
Roar Rookie
Good ananlysis At this stage of the losses from last season that will hurt, Nathan Wilson and Mumford, there is no real replacement. Devon Smith has been a little bit flakey for about 18months. Ironically he used to be dead eye at goal but missed few really crucial goals, esp in prelim against Bulldogs. Not totally sold on Lobb but he will have to flatten a few people Mummy style. Nth Melbourne Preuss should be one to watch in that department. Shame Kennedy couldn’t stay, honest but not irreplaceable. Steve J hung on too long sadly, see prelim 2017. Will be interested to see if Shipley comes through but speedy small players should be the priority. Funny if they pick up Spargo and Jarrod Brander esp as the academy boundaries were changed to prevent them going to the Giants.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
If by "really good game" you mean BOG or top 3, that's probably fair enough. But he had a lot of solid games in 2013, when he stepped in after Sandi and then Griffin went down. Went completely missing in the GF, but before that he played his role, had impact in the ruck and contributed on the wing (less so on the forward 50). Given he'd cost nothing in terms of draft picks, and next to nothing in terms of salary, a club with little to no ruck depth could do worse than picking him up (assuming his knee passes the medical).
Sticks
Guest
I always pay a lot of attention to the players recruited by GWS. Because if you wait a couple of years the very average ones turn up at Carlton.
Don Freo
Guest
I think Clarke would have served Freo well. He's pretty good if he's sound. The reality is that with Sandi and Darcy, he would not get games and we have a fit and strong Apeness as well to fill a dual role. Better to let him test the market and get regular time. It's win/win if he gets picked up. A win for him and a win for the club that gets him. We'll probably get Tim English in a few years once the Doggies have put a few kms into him.
Crowbot
Guest
Don, have Freo made the wrong call on Clarke? Griffo is gone, Sandi is just about to turn 35, Darcy is only 19. Clarke's knee is good and he's only 27. Seems that he'd be a pretty good fit if he was any good. Personally I'm with Freo,Maurice and HJ on this, but what's your take on why he was delisted.
Hungry Jack
Guest
What will it cost? A place on the their list for someone with real potential. So I guess I'm not a footy fan by your definition! It's a cruel, cut-throat sport, Don. He's had his chances, more chances than most.
Don Freo
Guest
An assumption based on your previous comment. What will it cost a club to pick him up for free? Anyone can express an anti-position. It takes a footy fan to appreciate what players have done at the top. You seem to have only focussed on imperfections. That can only take you to negatives and you miss the point of sport.
Hungry Jack
Guest
Very arrogant assumption, Don. You're not the only person with access to lots of games of football. Seen about 60 of this bloke's career AFL games. You rate him more highly than any other scribe. You say you hear opinion but listening is not your strength. Dismissal is your strongest defence. Not good enough!
Don Freo
Guest
Yes, I hear your opinion but I dismiss it because you have no way of knowing.
Hungry Jack
Guest
Or it may just mean that the Dockers persisted for way too long to try to get something out of their investment. Not all ex-Dockers players are AFL up-to-it, Don. I agree with Maurice. Never at any stage looked like a footballer! Period.
Don Freo
Guest
That's understandable. It was over 2 years since his last clear run at it. You don't play over 100 games if they are all duds. It just means you haven't paid attention.
Maurice
Guest
Can't think of 1 really good game Zac Clarke played for dockers. Through injury or whatever the game has passéd him .
Don Freo
Guest
If Zac Clarke's knee has recovered (as he claims it is) he provides a great set of hands and really good mobility. They should grab him now as a delisted free agent.
Wayne
Roar Guru
No point drafting a ruckman. Less risk in poaching one; take best available player this year.
Darren
Guest
When are you doing the western bulldogs