GWS Giants’ selection squeeze as seven more players available as suspensions finish

With three players back from injury and four returning from suspension, the Giants have a selection quandary the rest of the league would love. Lachlan McKirdy unpacks what it means.

Senior Giants players believe the club currently has the most depth in its history as they prepare for a selection headache this weekend with seven players now available to take on Hawthorn.

Riding high following their two impressive wins to start the season against Collingwood and Melbourne, Adam Kingsley and the GWS selection committee will be given a further boost when picking their team to take on the top-of-the-table Hawks in Launceston.

Three of their biggest names – Jesse Hogan (thumb), Jake Stringer (hamstring) and Kieren Briggs (concussion) – are all looming to be available for the clash after overcoming injury.

However, the Giants can also select Jake Riccardi, Harvey Thomas, Toby McMullin and Joe Fonti for their AFL side now that their suspensions for the club’s ‘Wacky Wednesday’ scandal have been served.

With only a handful of injuries to fringe players, it puts the club in an enviable position as they attempt to make the most of their perfect start to the season.

Hogan and Stringer are both primed for their first games of the 2025 season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I might send Jesse up the ground a bit, leave me one out in the 50,” Stephen Coniglio said. “We definitely would have loved them in the first two weeks, but it’s great for other boys to get a chance as well.

“I think it’s a credit to the club that players have done the work. So-called fringe players who you’d think would be out of the starting 23 have put in the work and they want to be playing week-in, week-out.

“ can’t think of a time where we’ve had this much depth and hunger. That real hunger and desire to want to play, so that only creates healthy competition.”

One of the key conundrums for Kingsley is what to do with Riccardi. The 25-year-old has been one of the Giants’ strongest performers this pre-season and is ready to take a step up in his career after 69 games in five seasons.

However, because of the form of Lachie Keeffe, Riccardi is likely to mark his return in the club’s VFL match against Williamstown in Blacktown on Saturday.

Keeffe might have been on the selection fringe to start the year, but after kicking the matchwinner against the Dees, the veteran is set to be rewarded for making the most of his opportunity with at least one more week in the AFL side.

Keeffe will likely keep his place in the side following his matchwinning goal against the Dees. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Another Giant who has made the most of his opportunities in recent weeks is 26-year-old Jacob Wehr.

Wehr was delisted and put on the rookie list at the end of 2024 but always felt secure knowing his future was at the Giants. After being named as the sub for their opening-round clash against the Pies, he has had 16 disposals in each of their first two matches and has been one of the players to fill the void following last year’s player exodus.

“I think it’s probably been the strongest start to a season I’ve had in terms of impacting on both sides of the ball,” Wehr said.

“In years gone by, I probably haven’t had the output that I’d like. So, I’m taking a lot of confidence from it. But like any player, I’ve still got heaps to work on and to close the gap.

“There’s no denying (it’s a big year). I’m obviously out of contract at the end of the year too. But I feel like if I keep contributing to the team winning, play my role and do all the little things well, the rest will take care of itself.

“I want to be at the Giants for as long as I can be. So, I’ll keep rocking up on the weekend and doing what I can for the team and we’ll see what happens.”

Wehr is the perfect example of a fringe player making the most of his early chance. in2025. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Wehr is a perfect example of the type of two-way player that Kingsley loves. He was able to get forward and kick a goal against the Dees, while also making four tackles and winning two free kicks for his side.

But regardless of his output, he knows he’s one of the players who could be under selection threat this weekend. While he hasn’t tried to convince his coach to stick to a winning formula, he is hopeful his versatility will lead him in good stead.

“It makes training a lot of fun because there’s a lot of guys trying to push their case,” Wehr said.

“Thankfully as a player, there’s not as much stress as there would be for a coach in match committee.

“But it’s healthy competition, it’s great for the group. Whoever plays this week is going to do a great job.”

Originally published as GWS Giants’ selection squeeze as seven more players available as suspensions finish