AFL pre-season: Key takeaways from GWS v Gold Coast

The enormity of Damien Hardwick’s task at the Suns is becoming clearer, with the Giants dominating the Suns in Canberra to close out their respective pre-seasons. Lachlan McKirdy has all the intel.

Lachlan McKirdy

@LMcKirdy7

3 min read

February 29, 2024 - 10:08PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 29: Suns head coach Damien Hardwick prepares to speak to players at three quarter time during the 2024 AFL Community Series match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Gold Coast Suns at Manuka Oval on February 29, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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The Giants have flexed their muscle in a dominant pre-season victory over the Suns in Canberra.

Despite some early resistance, last year’s preliminary finalists proved too strong through the middle and dominated Damien Hardwick’s young side.

The Giants were relentless with their forward entries and the class of their forwards made the most of the regular opportunities that came their way. Gold Coast were no match around the stoppages as they were blown out of the park when it came to contested possessions.

There were some promising signs for the Suns scattered across the match, including three early goals in the first quarter to Jack Lukosius. But they quickly faded with the Giants kicking 11 straight goals through to the third quarter to put the game well out of reach.

The Suns are clearly some way off the finished product, but any doubts about the Giants’ orange tsunami returning in 2024 were put to bed with an emphatic 44-point win.

The Giants were far too good in Canberra. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

GIANTS’ MIDFIELD DOMINANCE

The experience of the Giants’ midfield was always set to give them the advantage on Thursday but they simply outworked the Suns throughout the middle passage of the game.

By three-quarter time when they started rotating some of their starters out of the game, GWS had opened up a +36 lead on contested possessions and +12 on clearances.

Tom Green brought the intensity with a blistering first quarter, registering 13 touches and four clearances in the opening term. Xavier O’Halloran was another to impress, making the most of his opportunity on the wing and regularly popping up around the ball.

Touk Miller starred again for the Suns with 33 touches for the game, but he struggled for consistent help around the stoppages.

The fascinating battle between ruckmen Kieren Briggs and Jarrod Witts probably just went the Giants’ way. Witts often got the first touch, but Briggs’ work on the ground created plenty of opportunities for his side.

Toby Greene was in vintage touch. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

SUNS’ TRANSITION STRUGGLES

Gold Coast’s forward line had a disappointing night in Canberra, but some disappointing service from their midfield didn’t help them.

Lukosius’ three-goal first quarter set the tone for the Suns but they completely fell away thanks to the Giants’ dominant display.

Sam Taylor, Connor Buckley, Connor Idun and Harry Himmelberg cleaned up any poor entries that came their way with Ben King the last player to start the game to get a touch.

Mac Andrew looked his best when he was deployed further down the ground as a second ruckman, while Levi Casboult didn’t have too much influence when he came on in the second half.

The Suns also needed more output from their small forwards, a position that is still up in the air for their opening game against the Tigers. Darcy Macpherson struggled to make an impact and was eventually switched down back once the Giants got on a roll.

Gold Coast had more success in the second half when they lowered their eyes and slowed down the build-up, but by that stage, the Giants had dropped their intensity in preparation for next week.

Damien Hardwick’s side has struggled in both warm up games. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

GIANT GLOBETROTTERS LIGHT UP CANBERRA

Despite it being a pre-season game, the Giants were incredibly polished as they put on a show for a small crowd in Canberra.

Brent Daniels impressed in the first half and kicked an acrobatic goal over his head to cap off some good work. Toby Greene also impressed in his first game as a new dad, taking some spectacular marks and finishing with three goals for the night.

And while it was just a Community Series game, a few players were going for Mark of the Year. Aaron Cadman was happy to get on top of shoulders, while King ended up standing on top of Buckley to make sure the photographers got their pictures.

Thankfully for both sides, both got through the game without any major injury concerns. The Giants rested a few players in the second half including Daniels who had a bit of soreness in his heel but is still expected to be available for the clash against Collingwood.