AFL GWS v Brisbane: The seven stars that will decide semi final for both sides
On paper, the Giants and Lions are incredibly similar with their talent. Here are the seven key players from both sides that will decide who books their place in a preliminary final.
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It may be off-Broadway but Brisbane and GWS’ semi-final spectacle in the Western Suburbs of Sydney is one of the most intriguing head-to-head duels on the slate this September.
On paper, they could be the two most talented teams still in the premiership race and the comparisons are uncanny.
Lachie Neale and Tom Green are the contested and clearance bulls that every team yearns to own. Jesse Hogan and Joe Daniher have spearheaded two of the most potent attacks in the competition.
The bookends at the back, Harris Andrews and Sam Taylor, can consider themselves unlucky not to own All-Australian blazers this season such is their impact in the last line of defence.
Cam Rayner is blossoming into the next Toby Greene – but the OG is not ready to step aside just yet.
Hugh McCluggage and Josh Kelly kick first and ask questions later: valued so highly within their teams because when the ball is in their hands, something special usually happens.
Top to bottom Saturday’s opponents are incredibly similar. Which is why their contrasting game styles make this burgeoning rivalry so fascinating: same-same, but different.
By now their polar opposite goal kicking numbers are well known. Brisbane wins with quantity and the Giants with quality. In round 22 at the Gabba, the Giants’ method won out.
But how the two teams get the ball inside 50 is also drastically different.
The Lions’ methodical kick-mark approach has worked wonders in their surge towards September after a slow start to the year. With Dayne Zorko the quarterback deep in defence, Chris Fagan’s side likes to pick its way through the opposition’s zone before swarming the ball inside 50 with a fleet of dangerous small forwards.
The Giants much prefer to put speed on the ball. They are the No. 3 handball receive team in the league, while the Lions rank in the bottom three.
With the fleet feet of Darcy Jones, Toby Bedford and Brent Daniels, Adam Kingsley’s men want the ball on the outside and in motion to deliver inside 50 before the opposition can react.
The Giants have won both battles this season. But winning the war in September is all about the moments. Which players will be key to winning those moments? These are the seven stars on either side who will have the biggest say in the outcome on Saturday.
LACHIE NEALE AND TOM GREEN
NEALE
There’s only one thing Brisbane’s superstar skipper lacks in his illustrious career and it’s a premiership. After a standout regular season in 2023 netted him a second Brownlow Medal, he felt his output dropped in the post-season and was filthy with himself. The Lions have shown they don’t need Neale at his brilliant best to win big matches. But when he is on, they are rarely beaten. Brisbane is the best stoppage team in the competition and Neale is a big reason why. He is one of the hardest players to successfully tag. If Toby Bedford gets the job, it could be a game-defining match-up. His duel with Tom Green will be worth the price of admission alone.
GREEN
The 23-year-old was incredibly unlucky to miss out on the All-Australian squad after another superb year for the Giants. Green has easily become one of his side’s most influential players and is now earning a reputation for trying to put his team on his back and get momentum back on their side. He turns into another beast in September and was easily one of their best in the tight loss against the Swans. One of the best hard-ball winners in the competition, Green is at his best when he is in the contest and finding their elite runners on the outside. He will be doing everything he can to ensure there’s a preliminary final for them to plan for in a week’s time, as he looks to be the most influential midfielder on the ground.
JOE DANIHER AND JESSE HOGAN
DANIHER
Coleman Medallist-elect Jesse Hogan has been the measure of consistency for GWS this season. The only consistent thing about Daniher is his inconsistency - but that’s what makes him so exciting. The Joe Show goes on the road for the first time in September and like every Brisbane game, the result could hang on his boot. Just as capable of booting 5.1 as he is 1.5, Daniher will have a major say on this result one way or the other. Crucially, he adds a great deal to the Lions around the ground as a backup ruck with a surprisingly damaging field kick. Even if his radar is off, the ex-Bomber could still help lead the Lions to victory.
HOGAN
We’re running out of superlatives for Jesse Hogan after one of the best seasons we’ve seen by a key forward in recent years. His Coleman Medal is reward for the tireless work he has put in to get his body right, but his ultimate goal has always been a premiership and he has the ability to single-handedly get the Giants there. While his efficiency in front of the sticks is one thing, it’s the fact he can take big, contested marks anywhere on the ground that makes such a difference to the way the Giants attack. Even when things aren’t going their way, he finds a way to have an impact and it encourages the rest of his side to follow. He’ll look to get on the board early and spark their dynamic attack.
HARRIS ANDREWS AND SAM TAYLOR
ANDREWS
Snubbed for All-Australian but it was water off a duck’s back for the inspirational skipper, who has been the general both on and off-field this season. In the first meeting between these sides in Canberra, Andrews was one of the few Lions who could hold their heads high in the heavy defeat. If he has a poor game, it’s tough to see how Brisbane wins this. That is how important he is in the heart of defence. Few teams have been able to quell the influence of Jesse Hogan this season. He might be one of the few with the tools to do the job.
TAYLOR
It’s been one of the toughest years of Sam Taylor’s career, but there’s no doubting that his presence alone could be a game-changer for GWS. He’s one of, if not, the best key defender in the competition on his day, and he lives for the big matches and September action. The Giants’ defence looked impenetrable for three quarters against the Swans, and no one will hate the fact they faded late more than Taylor. Look for him to be a constant nuisance for Daniher and the other Brisbane talls, especially if he can get his intercepts going early and be given the time to read the flight of the ball, something he does better than everyone else in the AFL.
CAM RAYNER AND TOBY GREENE
RAYNER
Perhaps lucky to earn a nod in the All-Australian squad but the No.1 pick rival fans have loved to poke fun at is finally proving his pedigree. In a game flush with stars, Rayner could be the man who has the most say on the outcome. The Lions have never lost when he kicks 3+ goals (12-0). Dominated in the air and on the ground against Carlton and looks primed to rip September apart. Look out Toby Greene, King Cam is coming for your crown.
GREENE
Adam Kingsley said he expects more from his captain this week against the Lions, and Greene has built his reputation on rising to the occasion. His leadership and defensive work continue to be so vital to what the Giants do, but by his own admission, it’s his goal-scoring ability that he knows will win them matches. He was goalless against the Swans, including chances he’d usually kick in his sleep. With so much on the line, expect him to come out firing as he looks to return to the preliminary final stage yet again.
JACK PAYNE AND JACK BUCKLEY
PAYNE
Harris Andrews’ partner in crime has overcome a knee injury scare to line up in the heart of defence. Payne looked in rare form for the first half against Carlton before hobbling off. He did not feature in the round 22 meeting between these two teams. If Payne truly is fully fit, it is a major win for the Lions. The 197cm, 101kg giant might be one of the few men able to go toe-to-toe with Hogan in a tussle.
BUCKLEY
Defence plays such an important role for both the Giants and Lions, and while Andrews and Taylor might get the majority of attention, their lieutenants are just as vital. Buckley is as good a one-on-one defender as you’ll see in the AFL and is part of a tight-knit back three along with Connor Idun that truly believes they can be the best defence in the competition. The challenge for Buckley will be to assert himself physically early and not let Brisbane get any easy looks at goal. If they can stifle those chances, the pressure will be on and that’s when the Giants love turning the screws on their opposition.
HUGH MCCLUGGAGE AND JOSH KELLY
MCCLUGGAGE
What a year it’s been for the 26 year old. Signed a mammoth seven-year contract extension and has added a number of strings to his bow. After Dayne Zorko, the Lions want the ball in McCluggage’s hands the most because he is lethal by foot. Like Josh Kelly for the Giants, Brisbane’s smooth mover defies the handball-happy modern midfield trend. Has been hitting the scoreboard more regularly this season making him a dangerous proposition even when he leaves the middle of the ground.
KELLY
It’s been a tough year for Josh Kelly through injury but it’s clear that his performances are often a barometer for the Giants’ chances. There’s no better user of the ball in the team than Kelly, and if he can get space on the outside of the contest, he will punish the Lions going inside 50. As he continues to return to his best form, he’ll be looking to make a mark against Brisbane in a game that should perfectly suit his willingness to run and desire to attack every chance he gets.
JOSH DUNKLEY AND TOBY BEDFORD
DUNKLEY
Chris Fagan still can’t believe he managed to tempt Dunkley north. The ex-Bulldog continues to prove his worth as one of the best two-way midfielders in the AFL. Was beaten in the head-to-head by Patrick Cripps last weekend but that rarely happens. He will be the go-to run-with player for Brisbane, likely to get the Tom Green match-up, but crucially can be just as damaging going the other way. If he can stifle Green’s influence at stoppage and make him accountable, the Lions will have a major leg-up.
BEDFORD
Bedford finally returns to the Giants’ line-up after missing two matches with calf soreness, and it’s not a moment too soon considering they lost both games. He’s become so integral to Adam Kingsley’s plans in the midfield and tagging their opponent’s most dangerous player. Against the Lions, that is set to be Lachie Neale who GWS were able to keep quiet in both of their wins against Brisbane this year. Bedford’s pressure and defensive work are the key to his role, but look for him to try and get more involved and help hit the Lions on the counter to make sure he has an attacking impact despite his lockdown job being the focus.
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