Which new GWS Giants small forwards will stand tall?
A TRIO of GWS draftees will be pushing each other to fill the forward line void left by the retirement of Steve Johnson and the defection of Devon Smith to Essendon.
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Breaking into the super talented Giants line-up is one of the toughest assignments in the AFL. But for GWS draftees Brent Daniels, Zac Langdon and Dylan Buckley the task has been made dramatically more attainable with the retirement of Steve Johnson and the defection of Devon Smith to Essendon.
The thinning number of small forwards was something the Giants worked hard to address at both the national and rookie drafts.
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Daniels (pick 27) and Langdon (56) and Buckley (15 in the Rookie draft) made up almost half the GWS quota of selections over the last week.
Buckley, the son of Carlton great Jimmy Buckley played 39 games in six years at the Blues and clearly has the edge in experience over his young rivals.
“It’s going to be very competitive for a spot,” Buckley said.
“They’re very good players and you need a lot of guys in form and the better they will be the better I’ll be because they’ll push me up and I’ll push them.”
The success of the small Richmond forward line hasn’t been lost on the trio who all fit the profile of being as strong defensively as they are offensively inside the attacking 50.
“The role of small forwards in the game has given us all a massive opportunity,” Langdon said.
“The competition for spots will bring the best out of all of us and who knows there might be a couple of spots available so we might end up playing together.”
In other news the Giants have signed Bali Bombing survivor Jason McCartney as their new playing list manager.
McCartney suffered severe second degree burns to over 50% of his body in the October 2002 bombing. He initially concentrated on helping others he thought more seriously injured before realising he was suffering life threatening burns himself.
He almost died in surgery before recovering to marry his fiance Nerissa just 63 days after the bombing. He then made a dramatic return to the AFL playing for North Melbourne against Richmond in June 2003 and announced his retirement straight after the match.
The 43 year old has made a name for himself as one of the best recruiters in the AFL after six years at the Western Bulldogs where he played a key role in the 2016 premiership.
“Jason has a proven track record as one of the most highly regarded football administrators in the AFL and we’re delighted he’s joining the Giants,” said GWS Football Manager Wayne Campbell said.
“Jason’s strength is in list management and we feel he will compliment Adrian Caruso and his recruiting team. His work in managing the Western Bulldogs’ list and TPP, culminating in the 2016 Premiership, has been outstanding and we feel he will be a perfect addition to the GIANTS football department.”
As a player, McCartney played 182 games for Collingwood, Adelaide and North Melbourne in a distinguished career over 13 seasons.