GWS Giants have battled huge injury list in 2017 but still sit second on AFL ladder

THEIR list of ‘outs’ could provide the core of a star-studded AFL line-up but those who have stayed on the park have guided GWS Giants to an enviable position, writes NEIL CORDY.

Leon Cameron has his team well positioned for a run at September. Picture: Getty Images

THE Giants are still in the driver’s seat to win their first premiership despite their horror run of injuries.

The Giants list of ‘outs’ looks like a core many opposition sides could build a team around.

PUNISHMENT: GIANTS TO LOSE 1ST ROUND PICK

Stephen Coniglio, Nick Haynes, Jacob Hopper, Rory Lobb, Devon Smith, Will Setterfield, Adam Kennedy, Ryan Griffen and Brett Deledio.

Just how many of those players return and in what shape will have a big say in their chances of a maiden AFL flag.

Leon Cameron says both Deledio and Griffen are still chances of playing this year but their hopes are slim at best and having missed so much football they would be massively underdone should they return.

Nevertheless to make it to the bye sitting in second spot at 9-3 is a tremendous result under the circumstances and should have them right in the hunt for their first premiership.

They have found ways to win in very difficult circumstances, claiming a new series of firsts including winning at the SCG, and beating Collingwood and West Coast for the first time in club history.

The against-the-odds victory at Domain Stadium against the Eagles was one of their greatest. Already without 10 of their best they lost Tom Scully before the bounce but stayed in the hunt until the last quarter. Toby Greene then stepped up with two unforgettable goals to seal the deal. He is now one of the best small forwards in the game.

Lachie Whitfield (left) has returned in style after serving his ban. Picture: Getty Images

The shock loss to Carlton last weekend was their first defeat in a close one this year, their ability to find ways to win against the Bulldogs (two points in Round 6), Collingwood (three points in Round 8) and Richmond (three points in Round 9) will stand them in good stead for September.

It’s been the cream of their young talent Josh Kelly, Dylan Shiel, Jeremy Cameron and Lachie Whitfield who have risen to the top and the occasion.

Their three key 2012 non-contracted players Tom Scully, Callan Ward and Phil Davis have also fulfilled their early promise and have turned into genuine leaders.

There’s a lot to like, but Cameron is not resting on his laurels.

After the loss to Carlton, he said there was plenty of upside.

“We sit here pretty disappointed with what’s happened (against the Blues),” he said.

“Right now, if you put a percentage on it we’re only going the distance 70-75 per cent.

“We need to find that little bit extra per cent to see if we do want to go the distance, or we’re not going to be a part of some real deep action at the end of the year.”

An interesting second half of the season awaits.

Jeremy Cameron has been on the move more in 2017. Pic: Michael Klein

ROBBO SAYS:

Still the tip to win the flag and find it curious the commentary has several queries about them despite them being 9-3 and in second spot.

Not bad for a team stuck by long-term injuries. Whether they can get most of them match-fit before finals is probably the main query. Need Steve Johnson, Devon Smith and Toby Greene all playing forward 50m, Coniglio in the middle, Haynes back and Mumford to find his best.

They were only a week ahead of the Bulldogs in prep, and while the Dogs are mid-table, the Giants apparently have problems at 9-3. Good problems to have.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE GIANTS...

WHO’S HOT

JOSH KELLY. Kelly’s performance under enormous media scrutiny has also been something to watch. With a deal worth $9 million on the table from North Melbourne he has managed to put the distraction aside and develop into one of the game’s elite players. He is now among the favourites for the Brownlow Medal and a team leader at GWS.

Performing in September will be no problem for this young man.

It’s been the efforts of Kelly and their young stars on the rise which has kept them right in the hunt for the flag when they could have easily wilted.

WHO’S NOT

BRETT DELEDIO. After 12 outstanding years at Richmond Deledio has not got out of first gear at the Giants after suffering a continuous run of calf injuries since his arrival at the club.

He still has 10 weeks to prove his fitness before the finals but he may be better served concentrating on next season like Sam Reid did at the Swans.

SURPRISE PACKET

ZAC WILLIAMS. It takes something special to break into the Giants midfield group but that’s just what Williams has done.

He’s gone from a talented small defender to a driving force inside, capable of winning contested ball and kicking goals.

Brett Deledio continues to battle injury. Picture: Getty Images

SEASON SNAPSHOT:

Position. 2nd

Wins. 9

Losses. 3

Percentage. 116.4%

STORY SO FAR

R1 L56 Adelaide

R2 W102 Gold Coast

R3 W42 North Melbourne

R4 W31 Port Adelaide

R5 W42 Sydney

R6 W2 Western Bulldogs

R7 L23 St Kilda

R8 W3 Collingwood

R9 W3 Richmond

R10 W8 West Coast

R11 W16 Essendon

R12 L1 Carlton

THE RUN HOME

R14 Brisbane Lions Gabba

R15 Geelong Spotless

R16 Hawthorn Launceston

R17 Sydney Spotless

R18 Richmond MCG

R19 Fremantle Spotless

R20 Melbourne Manuka

R21 Western Bulldogs ES

R22 West Coast Spotless

R23 Geelong SS

Leon Cameron’s Giants are second on the ladder. Picture: Getty Images

LEADERS OF THE PACK

SUPERPOINTS (ave)

Josh Kelly 113.9

Dylan Shiel 96.5

Jeremy Cameron 91.6

Heath Shaw 87.5

Zac Williams 85.4

DISPOSALS

Josh Kelly 29.3

Dylan Shiel 27.5

Callan Ward 24.4

Zac Williams 22.8

Heath Shaw 22.2

KICK RATING

Adam Tomlinson +9.3%

Nathan Wilson +7.0%

Jeremy Cameron +6.8%

Tom Scully +6.8%

Heath Shaw +5.9%

CONT. POSSESSIONS

Dylan Shiel 11.9

Josh Kelly 11.5

Callan Ward 11.5

Toby Greene 9.2

Jacob Hopper 9.0

UNCONT. POSSESSIONS

Lachie Whitfield 20.0

Josh Kelly 18.4

Dylan Shiel 15.9

Tom Scully 15.9

Heath Shaw 15.0

Heath Shaw hasn’t been at his best but still provides plenty for GWS. Picture: AAP

METRES GAINED

Heath Shaw 498.8

Nathan Wilson 519.5

Dylan Shiel 436.8

Josh Kelly 424.0

Zac Williams 385.0

INTERCEPT POSSESSIONS

Phil Davis 6.6

Heath Shaw 6.4

Nick Haynes 6.0

Zac Williams 5.5

Adam Tomlinson4.2

SCORE INVOLVEMENTS

Toby Greene 8.5

Jeremy Cameron 8.3

Josh Kelly 7.8

Lachie Whitfield 7.8

Tom Scully 7.5

PRESSURE POINTS

Josh Kelly 57.4

Devon Smith 45.4

Tim Taranto 42.8

Shane Mumford 42.7

Jacob Hopper 39.7

GOALS

Jeremy Cameron 35

Toby Greene 26

Jonathon Patton 18

Rory Lobb 12

Devon Smith 9

Source: Champion Data

Will Josh Kelly stay in Sydney? Picture. Phil Hillyard

TRADING PLACES

COMING?

What does a talent-laden list many believe will rule the AFL for seasons to come really need? Some extra run and carry from defence — to assist the ageing Heath Shaw — would add something. There’s not many around but a star ruckman for life after veteran Shane Mumford could also help.

GOING?

Rival clubs have picked off a few budding stars in recent years and some big decisions loom for at least two GWS up-and-comers. All eyes are on Josh Kelly as he wrestles with the massive offers coming from Victorian suitors, while Devon Smith is also yet to re-sign. Can the Giants keep them?

FINALS ANALYSIS

Odds for eight- N/A

Odds for flag- $4.25

There are a few that may be tempted by the $4.25 on offer for the Giants to win their first premiership. When they get a few more players back, look out.