Greater Western Sydney secures JLT Series win against Sydney, 81-59

Greater Western Sydney draft sensation Jye Caldwell announced himself as the new star of the west against Sydney as the Giants showed why they can come out trumps on the Dylan Shiel trade.

GWS draft sensation Jye Caldwell announced himself as the new star of the west on Saturday night as the Giants showed why they can come out trumps on the Dylan Shiel trade.

Former No.2 pick Tim Taranto made his AFL debut for the Giants straight off the bat in 2017 and Caldwell appears destined for his own meteoric rise after the 18-year-old shined in GWS’s strong 81-59 trial match win over Sydney at Blacktown.

Caldwell kicked two goals and generally looked the part as he stormed into contention to slot straight into the Giants midfield as Shiel’s replacement for round one.

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When the youngster kicked his first the Giants rallied around him in a rousing reception for one of the best raw talents to come through the GWS program.

Insiders were stunned that the Gold Coast didn’t take the powerful, hard-nosed boy from Bendigo with their three early picks, but the Giants’ pounced with the first-round pick they were handed as the key plank in their trade of Shiel to the Bombers.

Caldwell spent most of last year on the sidelines following a horror run of injuries but it seems to have had little impact on his development as he troubled the Swans with his tenacity, athleticism and powerful kick – getting 14 touches on Saturday night.

Jye Caldwell looks right at home on the big stage. Picture: Getty Images

The Giants dominated early with five unanswered goals in the first quarter, but Sydney made a surge back into the game midway through the third and at one stage closed the gap to just three points.

However, GWS dismissed the challenge in the fourth with Daniel Lloyd kicking three goals and Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy Cameron and Taranto leading the way for the hosts.

Taranto – the kid with the US-born father – was immense for the Giants with 33 disposals.

Giants assistant coach Matthew Nicks said Caldwell had put himself firmly in the frame to debut in round one.

“He’s one of those guys who has already jumped on board. He was our first pick. He’s a super footballer,” said Nicks.

“He will take a while to settle into speed of the game but that’s his second game in a row now. He played the practice match against Sydney last week and played really well in that. His inside work and body work (is excellent), for a young kid he puts his body on the line and players love that.”

Jeremy Cameron battles hard. Picture: Getty Images

ROAMING CAMERON

Senior stars Cameron and Coniglio were standouts for the Giants, with Cameron also spending time in the backline.

Cameron had 23 disposals and assistant Nicks admits Cameron could get a roaming licence this season.

“He’s a flexible player. He can play deep forward and be a target, but also get on the move,” said Nicks.

Backline specialist Zac Williams also spent time in the midfield in another sign of his versatility.

Williams copped a knock to his ankle in the second quarter which ultimately limited his game time, but Nicks and Swans counterpart John Longmire both reported their sides appeared to come through the match unscathed.

SWANS FIRST QUARTER SHOCKER

Isaac Heeney did his best to lift Sydney with 24 disposals and two goals, but the Swans were always up against it after giving up a 30 point lead after the first quarter.

Coach Longmire was pleased to get returning forward Sam Reid through 70 minutes of work, but was damning of how slow his team was out of the blocks.

“It was a really poor first quarter. We lost the first by 30 points and you’re playing catch up after that point,” he said.

“We were right off the boil that first quarter. We got going a little bit after that but we really only played in spurts.”

Originally published as Greater Western Sydney secures JLT Series win against Sydney, 81-59