Club by club: GWS young gun who can win a Brownlow, take Giants to a flag in 2024

The Giants came from nowhere to finish agonisingly close to making the final game of 2023, so how do they repeat the dose this season? LACHLAN MCKIRDY previews their year.

Lachlan McKirdy

@LMcKirdy7

2 min read

January 9, 2024 - 7:45PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Tom Green will be the headline act as the Giants look to go one better in 2024. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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The Orange Tsunami returned this year and there weren’t many opponents who could hold on for the ride. Collingwood was lucky to escape when it won its preliminary final and that agonising loss will be driving Adam Kingsley, Toby Greene and the rest of the side to go one better this season.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Coach: Adam Kingsley

Captains: Toby Greene

What happened in 2023?

It was a tale of two halves as the Giants went from cellar dwellers to AFL darlings. The Giants were just one point away from a remarkable grand final appearance, an incredible feat considering they were in the bottom-four at the halfway point of the season. Experienced players like Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward recaptured some of their best form, while the inimitable forward duo of Toby Bedford and Brent Daniels turned the side into a pressure machine. There’s so much to like about what the Giants were able to do in 2023 and they should only build on that going forward.

Where do they finish in 2024?

If the Giants get on a roll early in 2024 — and they should considering the first six rounds they have been given — it should be top four or bust for the men from Western Sydney. They’ve proven already that they have no fear of taking on teams on the road and if they can turn Giants Stadium into a fortress, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to pick 16+ wins for the year.

Toby Greene and the Giants are no longer flying under the radar ahead of 2024. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Biggest improver in 2024?

It will be hard for anyone to break into the side that Kingsley had put together by the end of 2023, but Leek Aleer could be the one. The talented defender looks to be past several injury issues that kept him off the park for much of last season and he should certainly add to his four AFL games to date. While the Giants’ defence is already formidable, if Aleer can force his way into the side it will become even more impenetrable.

X-Factor?

Tom Green is already one of the competition’s best midfielders, but with his mentality, you get the sense he’s still far from his peak. He is as good at winning contested ball as anyone in the AFL and will only grow around a settled midfield where he is one of many elite players. If he gets anywhere near his potential in 2024, the Brownlow Medal could have his name on it by September.

Coach status

Adam Kingsley is riding high after his incredible first season in charge, which included being named the Coach of the Year. While it took a few weeks to get his side all singing to the same tune, the turnaround was remarkable and by the end of 2023, they were the most in-form team in the competition. The focus this off-season will be taking the group to the next level and with a stable squad and plenty of determined young players he has all the tools to succeed.

Kingsley’s influence will only continue to grow after a successful first year in charge. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Who is in last year of contract?

Adam Kennedy, Braydon Preuss, Callan Ward, Conor Stone, Cooper Hamilton, Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming, James Peatling, Jesse Hogan, Josh Fahey, Lachie Keeffe, Nick Haynes, Nick Madden, Ryan Angwin.

Outs for 2024

Matt Flynn (West Coast), Phil Davis (retired), Daniel Lloyd (retired), Cameron Fleeton (delisted), Jason Gillbee (delisted)

Ins for 2024

Phoenix Gothard (Pick 12 – Draft), James Leake (Pick 17 – Draft), Joseph Fonti (Pick 44 – Draft), Harvey Thomas (Pick 59 – Draft), Nathan Wardius (Cat B rookie)