David King: GWS Giants pose biggest threat to flag favourites Collingwood and Geelong’s premiership hopes

The man with the ‘keys to the Ferrari’ has regularly been questioned as to why there’s a lack of a silverware at GWS Giants. As David King writes, coach Leon Cameron and his star-studded team have the opportunity to change that this year.

The man with the “keys to the Ferrari” has regularly been questioned as to why there’s a lack of a premiership silverware at the Giants?

It is as unenviable and unfair pass mark.

The unique circumstances surrounding the inception of Greater Western Sydney has born immediate pressure on all involved, but none more than coach Leon Cameron.

The blown opportunity of 2016, losing a last-kick preliminary final to the Bulldogs, is irrefutable.

But the injury toll of the past two seasons has put kilometres on the Ferrari speedo, not to mention losing key parts — Dylan Shiel and Rory Lobb — to Essendon and Fremantle this year.

The 2019 version bares the shell of Cameron’s original luxury car, but under the bonnet is a different story, the Giants now run on more cylinders.

GWS coach Leon Cameron was set a high bar but his Giants are on track to meet the lofty expectations this year. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/Getty Images.

The Giants coach has worn criticism in the recent past that the Giants win through sheer talent over and above any system or game plan.

This year’s Giants quash that statement emphatically.

All the key success indicators are eerily like the 2016 season, and it would be nonsensical to state that the AFL’s best attack, most efficient forward 50 and most productive contested possession team performed all of this by chance.

Wouldn’t it?

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Clearly the Giants have embraced role players with greater effect such as the defensive actions of Matt De Boer as a tagging/negating type combined with forward-half pressure of Daniel Lloyd, Sam Reid and more recently Brent Daniels.

They are now top four for intercepting the opposition’s ball use, which was relatively unsighted over the past two seasons.

Cameron has also spread the wealth of talent across the field this season, best highlighted by Lachie Whitfield’s move to the half-forward flank, more minutes at full forward for Stephen Coniglio and a constant rotating midfield that involves 10-12 players not the 8-9 of previous years.

What about the move from back to forward of Jeremy Finlayson?

If you think the Giants haven’t evolved, think again.

Jeremy Finlayson’s switch to attack has been part of GWS’ evolution. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

Unfortunately, Callan Ward is gone for the season, but every premiership campaign has an unlucky soldier or two.

The Giants have enjoyed a good run with injuries this year and have depth as highlighted by the fact that 17-18 listed Giants players engaged in the NEAFL competition last weekend.

The off-season investment in the conditioning and medical departments are bearing fruit.

Whitfield, Phil Davis and Josh Kelly were all sidelined against St Kilda last Saturday as the Giants exhibited the best quarter of football for the season.

A 50-point first quarter demolition that would send a message to potential contenders.

It’s “System, system, system”.

Don’t be fooled by the Giants desire to engage on offence.

Maximise the talent available has been a core function of all coaching across all levels of our game.

Only Geelong is currently more powerful on turnover than the Giants, but Cameron’s boys are slightly better from clearances.

Leon Cameron has been unfairly measured during his time as GWS coach, writes David King. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Why wouldn’t he encourage the elite to seek scoreboard reward for their work?

If we are talking about the potential for Jeremy Cameron to kick 100 goals this season, then surely some of the kudos needs to relate to the method, therefore the coaching.

If Cameron was at Collingwood would he be sacrificing minutes at full forward? Who knows?

How would the player exodus read over the last two-three season if Cameron played a dour, 100 per cent defensive game-plan?

They’d be leaving in their droves.

The Giants have evolved from a back-six geared defence into a total-team defensive outfit. They will never be the best defence in the land, but if they can maintain a top six rating then it will stack-up in finals.

Nathan Buckley and Damien Hardwick have been lauded for their coaching adjustments as they’ve become more vulnerable, more empathetic to the player and in the process incorporated greater relationships with talent and staff.

Cameron has always been that man, which doesn’t mean he’s a pushover with the playing group, far from it.

Matt de Boer’s rise as a tagger is indicative as GWS’ willingness to use role players effectively. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Mooy.

Collingwood, Geelong and the Giants will clear out from the rest of the competition over the next 5-6 weeks given the soft fixture that lay ahead of them.

It’s anyone’s guess as to the order of their current rankings, but the Giants will commit some big totals, demolishing lesser teams and giving a sample of their destructive scoring power.

It is difficult to find an area in which the Giants are struggling at the moment.

While all the attention is largely on what Geelong and Collingwood are exhibiting, the Giants fly under the radar.

Leon Cameron and the Giants have had vultures circling for a long time.

Some from clubs ready to swoop on uncontracted talent, but many other interested in targeting the coach or his philosophies.

In a season which is appearing to have minimal genuine contenders, the Giants are idling in third gear, at 3000 revs, just awaiting for Cameron to put the pedal to the metal.

I get the feeling he is going to have the last laugh.