Eight reasons to get excited about GWS in 2020
A list overflowing with talent added a gun ruckman and two top-10 picks to their arsenal over the off-season. And don’t forget a returning star who had his 2019 ended by injury. Can the Giants go one better in 2020?
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GWS’ first Grand Final in club history didn’t go to plan but don’t fret Giants fans - there is plenty to like about your side’s prospects.
With a new ruckman, a returning star and two top-10 picks to add their already talented list, there could be a big, big sound from the west of the town in 2020.
Here’s eight reasons why Giants fans should get excited.
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1. REDEMPTION TIME
The Giants were humiliated by Richmond in the 2019 Grand Final, losing by 89 points in what was a lopsided affair after quarter-time. It was the biggest Grand Final margin since 2007 and third-biggest in the history of the game. There is no doubt the pain from that defeat will still linger for the Giants and many players — or the team as a whole — could use it help drive them forward in 2020. GWS knows it is a better side than it produced at the MCG that day and will be determined to show that next season as it aims to go one step further and win an inaugural premiership.
2. WARD RETURN
Severely underrated by many fans across the competition, Giants midfielder Callan Ward is genuine star and his return from an anterior cruciate ligament will be a big boost for his side. The 29-year-old went down with the injury in his first game of last season – in Round 4 – and was not seen again. However, he has gradually been increasing his training load over recent months and has set his sights on a Round 1 return in 2020. Before last season, the durable Ward had not missed a game since 2014. In 2018, he finished second behind Lachie Whitfield in GWS’ best-and-fairest count after averaging 26.8 disposals and 6.7 clearances across 24 games. If he can return to the field and his best football, the Giants’ already well-stocked midfield is going to be a serious force.
3. BIG RECRUIT
During the trade period the Giants secured one big recruit — literally. Former Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs — a 200cm giant — found his way to a club that needs him. Injuries and then some average form meant Jacobs only played five AFL games last year, but for many years prior he had been one of the premier ruckman in the competition. In 2018, Jacobs ranked fourth in the AFL for total hit-outs (36.3 a game) and sixth for hit-outs to advantage (10.7 a game), along with averaging 11.8 disposals and 84 SuperCoach ranking points. With Shane Mumford struggling last season, the No. 1 ruck spot is there for Jacobs to grab with both hands and former Essendon and St Kilda star Brendon Goddard believes he can “return to his best with a fresh start”.
4. FOURTH-BEST LIST
The Giants are brimming with talent and some would argue they are better than Champion Data suggests by ranking them the fourth-best list in the competition entering 2020. The Giants sit behind only Richmond, Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in the rankings. They have the equal-most players of any team who are rated ‘elite’ by the AFL’s official number crunchers with six – Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson, Zac Williams, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield and Stephen Coniglio. That is some serious talent.
5. NO. 1 FORWARD LINE
In addition to being ranked at the fourth-best list overall, GWS is also rated as the No. 1 forward line by Champion Data. Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene lead the charge in attack, along with Jeremy Finalyson, Harry Himmelberg, Brent Daniels and Daniel Lloyd. Cameos sometimes come from the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Matt Buntine and Lachie Keefe. Cameron is the reigning Coleman Medal winner and kicked 76 goals last season, while Finlayson is coming off a 44-goal campaign, Himmelberg kicked 38 goals in 2019 and Greene booted 27 goals from just 19 games. Talk about firepower.
6. CAPTAIN CONIGLIO
A new season brings a new captain for the Giants, with Stephen Coniglio taking over from former co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis. Ward has said he has no doubt Coniglio “is ready” after serving as vice-captain for three years and will not only continue to get the job done himself but also drive his teammates forward. Coniglio’s appointment came after he penned a seven-year contract extension at the end of last season. The midfielder missed his side’s 2019 finals series with a knee injury but averaged 26.6 disposals and 101 SuperCoach ranking points across 15 games.
7. WONDERFUL WHITFIELD
An All-Australian and club best-and-fairest in 2018, Lachie Whitfield had an interrupted 2019 campaign that saw him miss seven matches. However, the Giants will be hoping he can stay on the park next season and continue his growth as a young player. The 25-year-old is among the Brownlow Medal fancies for 2020 after averaging 27 disposals, 471 metres gained and 6.3 score involvements last season. He ranked fifth at the Giants for total disposals and second for uncontested possessions. Could 2020 be the year the 2012 No. 1 draft pick marks himself as the No. 1 player in the competition?
8. TWO TOP-10s
For a team that played off in a Grand Final last season, it is scary to think the Giants have added some more top-end talent to their list. The club secured two top-10 selections in the 2019 national draft, being Lachlan Ash at pick four and GWS Academy member Tom Green at pick 10. Both are viewed as players who could have an impact at AFL level next season. Ash is a rebounding defender with a strong intercept mark and line-breaking speed and Green is a midfielder who is a contested ball beast likened to Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.
CHAMPION DATA SAYS
The Giants are primed for another premiership tilt and they have all the fire power they need up forward, with the No. 1 rated forward unit across the competition – with Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson rated elite while Harry Himmelberg, Toby Greene and Brent Daniels rated above average. They are also the fifth-most experienced side heading into 2020.
HOW YOUR CLUB IS TRACKING
2015: 11th, 11W, 11L
2016: 4th, 16W, 6L, PF
2017: 4th, 14W, 2D, 6L, PF
2018: 7th, 13W, 1D, 8L, SF
2019: 6th, 13W, 9L, GF
TAB ODDS
Premiership: $9
Top 8: $1.30
Top 4: $2.25
Originally published as Eight reasons to get excited about GWS in 2020