AFL pre-season: Orange Tsunami returns, Braydon Preuss tackle a concern for GWS Giants

Tom Green led the way as GWS thumped Gold Coast by 45 points. DANIEL CHERNY unpacks all the talking points, round-one selection clues and the incident that is certain to be scrutinised.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 04: Braydon Preuss of the Giants competes for the ball against Jarrod Witts of the Suns during the AFL Practice Match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown International Sportspark on March 04, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

They promised it would be different, and if first impressions are anything to go by, they were right.

After a disjointed 2022 during which Greater Western Sydney parted ways with its long-time coach and lost two first-choice midfielders, the Giants appear a vastly altered proposition under new coach Adam Kingsley. They thrashed Gold Coast by 45 points in the sides‘ practice match at Blacktown on Saturday in what was a concerning outing from the Suns.

The influence of Kingsley’s time at Richmond was evident as GWS played a high-octane handball-centric game style, a far cry from some of the staccato frustration of previous years.

The old ‘Orange Tsunami’ was back, with Tiger-esque transition work feeding a potent forward line. Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield have settled again as rebounding defenders and were both influential, as was Isaac Cumming.

Matt Rowell tackled by Lachie Whitfield on Saturday. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Jake Riccardi was the primary beneficiary inside forward 50, booting four majors, while Harry Himmelberg’s return to the forward line yielded three goals.

With Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene resting in the final quarter, the Suns added late goals to limit the damage, but Gold Coast was overall made to look sloppy and slow in the absence of injured co-captain Touk Miller and dasher Brandon Ellis.

GOOD SIGNS

There were no shortage of winners on the day for GWS, but among the biggest positives were the performances of Tom Green and Finn Callaghan, both of whom recommitted to the club recently. Green, helped by Josh Kelly, was the dominant midfielder on the ground, leading the charge at the coalface in a showing that suggested the Giants may not miss Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper as much as some had feared.

However it was the performance of 2021‘s No. 3 draft pick Callaghan that should set tongues wagging. After an injury-cruelled first season in the system, Callaghan was spellbinding on the wing, showing the power, athleticism and skill that led him to being taken so early. The Victorian kicked a couple of majors, including a delightful effort on the run after baulking Caleb Graham.

PREUSSING CONCERN

One of the few negatives for the Giants was the ill-disciplined performance of hothead Braydon Preuss. The ruckman is set to once again find himself at the mercy of the match review officer because of a dangerous tackle during the second quarter after helping spear Suns forward Tom Berry over his shoulder, causing Berry to land awkwardly.

Preuss faced immediate remonstration from Berry’s teammates and conceded a free kick, one of seven he gave away for the game. A sore Berry was assessed by Suns medicos but did not appear seriously injured and returned to the field.

“His tackle today, I thought his intention and his technique was outstanding. He got in low, tackled low. [Berry] jumped. That’s a part of the game,“ Kingsley said.

Former North Melbourne and Melbourne big man Preuss is in the final year of a three-year deal at the Giants, having played just 10 matches for the club to date because of suspension and injury. He was banned three times in 2022.

Preuss was costly for the Giants’ giving away a set shot in the first half. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

COGS HIT BY A TRUCK

Giants gun Stephen Coniglio left the field shortly before half-time after copping the brunt of a bump from Suns backman Charlie Ballard. Coniglio was streaming towards goal late in the second quarter before wearing heavy body contact from Ballard, who could also face scrutiny from the MRO. The former skipper was slow to his feet and, after initially waving away medical staff, headed to the sidelines. A knock to his knee was checked, but he returned after half-time.

Coniglio left the field after stumbling from a collision with Ballard. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

THE KING IS ALIVE

Star Gold Coast forward Ben King made the perfect start in his return game from a knee reconstruction. Having missed all of last season following his ACL rupture, King converted a set shot in the early minutes of the game and was descended upon by teammates. King moved well, however that goal was about the extent of his involvement, with the spearhead sitting out the second half as planned.

King looked at ease in his return. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

LONG GOES HIGH

Suns recruit Ben Long provided the individual highlight of the first half, soaring onto the back of Riccardi to take a speccy. Riccardi remained in the action, kicking a goal later in the half from the top of the square, booting the Sherrin into the parkland behind the Blacktown sports complex.

NOT CAD AT ALL

No. 1 draft pick Aaron Cadman is on the outer for now but put his hand up for an early debut by booting four goals in the VFL practice match curtain-raiser. The tall forward is a long-term project for the Giants with Hogan, Himmelberg and Riccardi preferred for the time being.

Originally published as AFL pre-season: Orange Tsunami returns, Braydon Preuss tackle a concern for GWS Giants