Ruthless GWS puts AFL premiership rivals on notice with mauling of Brisbane Lions

After several weeks where they’ve faded late in games, the Giants didn’t just want to fall over the line against Brisbane. They wanted a big, percentage-boosting win and that’s exactly what they left Canberra with, writes LACHLAN McKIRDY.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 25: Josh Kelly of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the round seven AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Brisbane Lions at Manuka Oval, on April 25, 2024, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

The Giants are determined to keep their ruthless edge after putting the Lions to the sword in Canberra on Anzac Day.

A sold-out Manuka Oval was treated to a tense arm wrestle in the first half on Thursday night, but Adam Kingsley’s men ran away with the game, kicking nine goals to two in the second half. It was an emphatic statement from the Giants and they want to continue the trend going forward.

“We’ve had some leads at halftime in the past few weeks and we’ve let them slip a bit,” Toby Bedford said.

“We wanted to you out there and make sure that there’s no chance for them coming back (after half time). I feel like we did that.

“We put the foot on the throat and we wanted to have a full four-quarter performance. We want to build those leads and boost our percentage as well.

“When we get those leads, we want to be able to hold them and we want to send a statement to the rest of the competition.

“To be able to do that without Toby Greene, Brent Daniels, Coniglio and Sam Taylor, I think it just shows our depth and it’s just a great time for the club.”

The Giants were immense with their forward pressure, finishing with 23 tackles inside 50 to the Lions’ four. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Giants’ midfield in particular wanted to bounce back after a performance that was well below their usual standards against Carlton a week earlier.

Destroyed around the stoppages, they finished +4 for clearances against the Lions who are regarded as one of the best midfield groups in the competition.

They were also able to turn their transition game on after being well-stifled in the first half. Finn Callaghan finished with a career-high 32 disposals and was more than satisfied with the way his side performed coming off the five-day break.

“We were really disappointed with our effort last week,” Callaghan said. “We really wanted to respond, especially the midfield. I don’t think the five-day break could have come at a better time for us.

“I always just want to play to my strengths, and that’s tucking the ball under my arm. I’m really lucky I’ve got some good players around me and when we get up and running we’re pretty hard to stop.

“We hadn’t put four quarters together yet this year, so to do that today was a nice confidence boost.”

Jones was embraced by his teammates and received a standing ovation from the Canberra crowd late in the game. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The relentless nature of their performance is set to lead to some difficult decisions for Kingsley ahead of next Saturday’s derby against the Swans.

Darcy Jones is next to undroppable after his barnstorming debut and will benefit from a few extra days to get the Gatorade out of his already iconic headgear.

“I’m saturated, but it’s awesome,” Jones said. “It was an absolute dream debut, I couldn’t have scripted it better.

“The boys gave me so much confidence, they backed me in and I just did what I could. We work so hard so hopefully we can keep reaping the rewards.”

But it’s the long list of inclusions that means some in-form players will have to make way. Toby Greene will return from his one-week suspension with the captain not going to go anywhere near the VFL side – “I don’t think that will happen, we live in his world,” Bedford laughed.

Sam Taylor is also tracking well through his concussion protocols and will likely replace Leek Aleer in the backline. If Stephen Coniglio is available following his small MCL tear, the 30-year-old will return to the midfield.

Leek Aleer could be one of the unlucky players to be dropped with so many stars preparing to return. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Brent Daniels was also afforded a full week off after being the unused sub. Despite some strong showings from the likes of Jones, Harvey Thomas, James Peatling and Xavier O’Halloran, some of them could count themselves unlucky at the next match selection meeting.

But that’s exactly what you need in a team that wants to win a premiership.

“There will be (headaches),” Kingsley said. “That’s the nature of a fit team who is performing well.

“We want to have those selection issues, if you want to call it that, where good players are missing out. Not only does that put pressure on players in the team, it also inspires guys out of the team to think, ‘There’s an opportunity here’.”