AFL 25: Lachlan McKirdy names his GWS Giants team of the century so far

They may have only entered the competition in 2012, but Greater Western Sydney’s best team of the 21st century packs a punch. Check it out here.

The Giants might have only been around for half of this century, but their best team during that period would rival some of the strongest in the competition.

The youngest club in the AFL has found plenty of success across its 13 seasons, making a grand final once and playing regularly in September. They were blessed with generational talents to kick their journey off and recruited intelligently to add experience when needed.

Predominantly, the Giants’ most-capped players have all made the team. That includes much of their current side like Callan Ward, Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield. Inaugural co-captain Phil Davis is of course at the heart of their backline.

There’s also room for some of their elite defenders of recent years including Sam Taylor, Nick Haynes and Harry Himmelberg.

Jeremy Cameron during his time at the Giants. Picture: Matt King/AFL Media

Dylan Shiel is on a wing in the Giants’ team of the century. Picture: Glenn Hunt

The first true superstar in the orange and charcoal, Coleman Medal winner Jeremy Cameron, sits at his favoured position of centre half-forward. Just ahead of him is the Giants’ other Coleman Medal winner, Jesse Hogan.

Current ruck coach and former star of the competition Shane Mumford also rightfully takes his place in the starting line-up.

Two players who might be known better for their exploits at other clubs have also made the 23. Heath Shaw won a premiership with Collingwood, but played 152 matches for GWS and was instrumental in their run to the 2019 grand final.

Similarly, Steve Johnson might have only had two seasons during the twilight of his career at the Giants, but he still made that forward pocket his own and kicked 64 goals in 40 matches.

There is also an array of stars who started their careers at the Giants and then went in search of greener pastures as the club delicately balanced their list: Dylan Shiel, Jacob Hopper, Adam Treloar, Tom Scully and Adam Tomlinson.

Two of the club’s Academy products have also made the team, with Canberra’s Tom Green at the heart of the midfield and recently-departed Harry Perryman earning a place on the bench. Brent Daniels is one of the other current stars to grab a spot in the side on the half-forward line.

Given his longevity in the role, Leon Cameron is the obvious choice as coach. If Adam Kingsley continues his success in the position, that could be a tougher conversation in the years to come.

Several players narrowly missed out on selection, most notably the likes of Tim Taranto and Zac Williams who have gone on to forge strong careers away from the Giants but there was just no room for them in the team. Jonathan Patton was another who missed out thanks to a plethora of forward talents.

Originally published as AFL 25: Lachlan McKirdy names his GWS Giants team of the century so far