Why the GWS can break through after two years of finals disappointments
AFTER falling at the final hurdle in the last two years, losing the preliminary final to eventual premiers the Bulldogs in 2016 and Richmond in 2017, GWS are now a more resilient outfit.
- Power hopes for surge in class, goals
- Giants D-Day for injured star Kelly
- Demons have made Good choice
THE GWS Giants may be about to fulfil their potential.
After falling at the final hurdle in the last two years, losing the preliminary final to eventual premiers the Bulldogs in 2016 and Richmond in 2017, they are now a more resilient outfit. One that has overcome many challenges during the 2018 season.
One of those challenges presented itself in round 11 at Adelaide Oval. Having won just one game in its previous six matches the Giants faced the Crows on the rebound, after being trounced by Melbourne to the tune of 91 points in Alice Springs. Both teams needing a win to stay in the finals race.
In a tight match, the Giants had a two-goal buffer going into the last change.
Adelaide burst out of the blocks in the last quarter with the first five scoring shots, two of which were goals. Having taken the lead and with its home crowd behind it, the Crows looked certain to run away with the win.
Not this time.
There was a resolve about the group that hadn’t been seen for some time. Josh Kelly, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield, Dylan Shiel and Stephen Coniglio ran Adelaide off their feet and with Jeremy Cameron kicking two of the last three goals of the match, not just the four points was in the Giants keeping but also a healthy dose of self-belief.
Just two games later a moment of madness by Jeremy Cameron would again throw huge doubt over the Giants season. Cameron would receive a five-week ban for his collision with Lion Harris Andrew.
Fellow key target Jon Patton was already sidelined for the year with injury and with the next four matches against Hawthorn, West Coast, Richmond and Port Adelaide. Already sitting a game outside the eight, most good judges were predicting tough times, and the Giants sliding from finals contention. Once again not to be.
Wins against the Hawks, Tigers and the Power had them inside the eight by the end of round 17. A position they would retain for the rest of the year.
Even late season injuries to veterans Heath Shaw Brett Delidio, Ryan Griffen and Dawson Simpson along with key playmakers Toby Greene and Kelly hasn’t adversely affected the group. If anything it appears to have strengthened their resolve.
Much credit, of course, has to go to Leon Cameron and his team of coaches, but it’s hard not to be impressed with the Giants co-captains Phil Davis and Ward.
Davis’s performance on Buddy Franklin on Saturday was one of his best.
The foresight shown by the Giants hierarchy to firstly target, then recruit Davis after just 18 senior games with Adelaide, and then to make him captain in his first season, has paid off handsomely.
In his seventh year as co-captain he is the type of player who always looks in control of the situation, which brings an air of calmness and confidence to his team-mates. His ability to position himself, read the play and think his way through situations often has him outpointing more physically gifted players, such as on the weekend.
Ward is at the other end of the spectrum. Voted by his peers as the most courageous player in the AFL, his attack on the ball is manic. In a team that is blessed with the silkiest of outside runners he is the muscle on the inside. In finals where winning the contested ball is so vital Ward collected 17 on the weekend more than any other player on the field.
Ward’s leadership journey is also in its seventh season, and due to his acute shyness has mostly preferred to let his actions do the talking. It is a style that has proved successful and earned him great respect.
If Davis is brains of the team, Ward is most definitely the heart.
Having never been a big fan of Co-Captains this is as good as an advertisement as you will get for the concept, two vastly differing styles both highly effective working cohesively together.
Just as both Davis and Ward have grown into their respective roles, are we seeing a club also maturing? The sense of entitlement that emanated from a group of precociously talented youngsters a few years back appears to have been replaced by a work ethic and resilience that now compliments that enormous talent.
The Giants still have plenty of work in front of them, firstly having to get over Collingwood this week at the MCG. What we do know is that there is more grit about this team than in the past. Dealing with great adversity throughout the year has GWS well placed when the going gets tough as it inevitably does as the weeks pass in September.
Check out Odds.com.au for the latest AFL Finals odds
Injury lingers over star-studded All Stars as squad named
The Indigenous All Stars squad has been announced with some massive names, but coach Xavier Clarke will have to juggle plenty of injury issues. See the full squad here.
The delicate Travis Head dilemma Australia needs to confront
Australia faces a puzzling dilemma when it comes to handling Travis Head’s future, writes Robert Craddock. Plus, will Nathan Lyon follow in Shane Warne’s footsteps at the Allan Border Medal?