GWS must strike the right balance between player changes and team cohesion as they try to put their faltering AFL season back on track.
Giants coach Leon Cameron gave a damning assessment of Sunday’s 45-point loss to Melbourne, saying his team stopped after half time.
Combined with their loss the previous weekend to Sydney, the Giants have lost momentum ahead of their September 8 elimination final against the Swans at the SCG.
Cameron said Zac Williams, Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Aiden Corr and Matt De Boer would stake claims to return from injury for the Swans clash – but they cannot all return at once.
“I don’t think you can play five or six (of them) – that’s probably flirting with it a bit,” Cameron said.
“The Swans are a powerful team and they run hard to the end and you always have to go to the wire, but we’ll look at it and see what the best mix is to take them on.”
Along with the need to recall players, Cameron made it clear he will wield the axe in the wake of their poor fortnight.
“We had some disappointing players – some didn’t grab their opportunity,” Cameron said.
“Has the bye come at a really good time? It probably has and we have to make sure we lick our wounds, we acknowledge what we weren’t good at and we get ready for one big clash against the Swans.”
Ruckman Rory Lobb had back tightness in Sunday’s loss, but Cameron said he would play against Sydney.
After gaining the double chance in the last two seasons, this time GWS have finished seventh.
But Cameron remains bullish about the prospects of winning their first premiership.
“Anyone can win and we’re going to put ourselves in that basket,” he said.
“But we need to play our best footy and we haven’t in the last four or five quarters.
“I’m confident we can in 13 days time.”
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Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
It’s high stakes with five teams having lost their first three games of season 2024, and in desperate need of a win.
It could be a weekend for contenders to emerge, teams to hopefully break droughts, o and overall footy to have a party.
We’ve already seen what Jack Ginnivan is capable of at Collingwood with his ability to grasp big moments - how will he go against his former teammates?
