Gary Buckenara analyses GWS’s needs and potential players to target during off-season
TRADE SPECIAL: GWS has the best list in the AFL but they are missing a specialist small forward and Hawk Paul Puopolo fits the bill according to GARY BUCKENARA. READ HIS FULL ANALYSIS
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THERE is no doubt on paper GWS has the best list in the competition and that has been further evidenced by their performances this year despite a number of injuries to key players.
The depth at the Giants is impressive. It’s a credit to the recruiting department who have nailed their draft picks — you can have 100 picks but if you don’t pick the right players then what’s the point?
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While most clubs have a lot of C-grade players, GWS has a lot of A and B-graders. There aren’t too many C-graders but there are D-grade developing players and that’s why their list is in very good shape.
It’s a matter now of list management decisions as to who to keep and who to let go because GWS will again be the subjects of recruiting raids from rival clubs because when the list is fit, there are genuinely good players who won’t get a game but would be best 22 at most other clubs.
What happens in that space at the end of the season, particularly with Josh Kelly, will dictate what kind of players the Giants need to target to replace the players they’ve lost.
But they do need another ruckman right now, an experienced one as back-up to Shane Mumford.
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Dawson Simpson is there but Mumford is such a barometer for them they need better back-up in the form of an experienced and big-bodied big man for a couple of years while Matthew Flynn develops.
Rory Lobb is more of a forward/ruckman.
The Giants also need a dynamic specialist small forward who crumbs off the pack. Steve Johnson has played that role but he will retire at the end of the season and Toby Greene and Devon Smith are more midfield/half forward types.
There will, at some point, come a time though when the Giants will offload some players to regenerate their list and get more draft picks to replenish with top talent.
Tom Scully — even though he is playing great footy — is one who jumps out who has currency that GWS might be willing to let go in order to fill a hole in the list.
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You’d want to keep him but if a club came along and offered you a high draft pick or a great deal, you’d look at it.
The same goes for Devon Smith who is out of contract at the end of the season and defender Adam Tomlinson who has been linked to a move before.
WHO THE GIANTS SHOULD TARGET
Hawk Paul Puopolo would be of interest to the Giants. He has premiership experience and would be a good replacement to what Johnson has offered them in terms of that finals experience and knowing what it takes to get to the top and then stay there. I think Puopolo would really transform that forward line with his manic pressure, high marking and goalkicking ability. He’d add another dimension.
Another small forward who seems to be out of favour despite playing very well in the VFL is Jay Kennedy-Harris from Melbourne. He is racking up the disposals but can’t seem to get a run in the seniors. The Giants have a history of picking up role players from other clubs such as Matt De Boer and Tendai Mzungu.
Who’s to say free agent Tom Rockliff wouldn’t be a target? Big-bodied midfielder who does his best work in and under and is a clearance specialist. If a Jacob Hopper or Devon Smith departed, he would be an ideal replacement.
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