AFL 2025: GWS set to welcome back Jesse Hogan for Bulldogs clash

The Giants’ attack was labelled as “toothless” by an AFL legend after they managed only four goals against the Crows. But they’re set for an immediate boost against the Bulldogs.

The Giants are set to welcome back reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan this weekend against the Western Bulldogs as they look to put their attacking woes behind them.

Adam Kingsley’s side has earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic forward lines in the AFL. However, without Hogan who missed the clash with a calf injury, they scored only 34 points against the Crows last Saturday, kicking a miserly 4.10 in a game that was there for the taking.

It was the fewest points the Giants have scored in a game since round 17, 2022, as Jake Stringer, Aaron Cadman, Toby Greene, Jake Riccardi and Callum Brown combined for just one goal and eight behinds between them.

The lack of output led former Essendon forward Matthew Lloyd to describe the Giants’ performance as “toothless”, claiming on AFL.com.au that “without (Hogan), they’re just nothing”.

The Giants managed just four goals against the Crows in a dismal forward display. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

While his return couldn’t come quickly enough against the Dogs on Saturday night in Canberra, Lachie Whitfield believes it’s more than just the forward line that needs to improve.

“It was disappointing, we built the game up pretty well,” Whitfield said. “We knew Adelaide were going to be a tough ask.

“They were able to get the ball inside 50 pretty easily, I think. We were able to keep them to 50 points, but we just couldn’t get our back-half ball movement going. It’s something we’ve been working on already this week and we’re trying to fix. It’s an ongoing issue for us, we know that.

“You’re always going to miss your best forward, whether it is kicking goals or just have a good key target to bail out to down the line. We do have a lot of good forwards and we should have given a better effort on the weekend, especially in our contest down the line.

“There’s no excuse, but we’ll be happy to get him back this week, that’s for sure.”

Hogan is likely to be the main high-profile inclusion, with Brent Daniels (abdominal) and Stephen Coniglio (glute) remaining week-to-week prospects. The pair are struggling to rehabilitate their respective injuries and will be more likely to return for the Sydney Derby in round eight.

Former No. 1 draft pick Aaron Cadman could be at risk of being dropped given the form of the forwards below him in the VFL. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I’m not sure if (Brent Daniels is) going to be able to play this week, but stranger things have happened,” Whitfield said. “He’s pretty determined to get back pretty quickly, so we never know. I wouldn’t rule him out.

“Cogs is probably a little bit ahead of Binga (Daniels). I think he’s done a bit more training, and he’s just slowly getting himself right … I think he’ll be a chance again this week.”

The Giants could, however, make some other changes to their forward-line structure to reward the performances of their VFL players.

Max Gruzewski has kicked 13 goals in three matches, while crafty small forward Nathan Wardius has kicked 14 goals this season. Both players continue to put pressure on the likes of Aaron Cadman, who has only kicked six goals in six matches.

The former number one draft pick has benefited previously from spending some time back in the VFL, so it could be an option for Kingsley again to allow the 21-year-old to find some form.

Originally published as AFL 2025: GWS set to welcome back Jesse Hogan for Bulldogs clash