GWS Giants are primed to break through for a maiden Grand Final

GREATER Western Sydney has the most efficient midfield in the AFL and an attack that can bury rivals. Lauren Wood looks at the reasons the Giants are primed to succeed in 2018.

GREATER Western Sydney has fallen at the penultimate hurdle for the last two seasons, but expect it to be right up there again.

After being plagued by injury and suspension in 2017, coach Leon Cameron will be welcoming back a number of key players he sorely missed last year.

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Josh Kelly had a breakout season in 2017 and is ready to establish himself among the game’s elite midfielders while Toby Greene has been referred to as the Giants’ answer to Lance Franklin.

Here’s the eight reasons why 2018 could be bathed in orange.

Toby Greene has been described as the Giants’ Lance Franklin. Picture: Michael Klein

RETURNING STARS

The Ferrari has been in the shop for a tune-up, and a raft of key players are set to return after a season plagued by injury. Adam Kennedy, Lachie Whitfield, Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Stephen Coniglio and Jacob Hopper are just a handful of Giants who were missing last season due to suspension or injury, with personnel supplies hit hard. They’ll be back with Leon Cameron no doubt eyeing some consistency in the team’s line-up.

BUILD CONTINUES

The last two years have borne two preliminary finals without a Grand Final berth. To say this side should contend yet again is an understatement, particularly if it gets a smooth run with injury and players stay on the right side of new match review official Michael Christian.

A fit Jeremy Cameron is crucial to the Giants’ success. Picture: Michael Klein

POTENT AS EVER

The Giants’ midfield is one of the best – if not No.1 – in the competition and had the numbers to prove it in 2017. Clearances? Top. Efficiency? Second. Number two for tackling, too. Leon Cameron has some of the best in the league weaving through the middle and when they’re able to play consistently together, will be scary for opposition sides.

THEY MAKE YOU PAY

It’s not just between the arcs that things can tick smoothly for the Giants. The supply inside 50 is among the competition’s best and once it’s in there, they can make opposition teams pay. Last season, the men in orange ranked third in the league for score differentials per inside 50, making scoreboard pressure a key element of their game.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

The Giants might have lost more than 750 games of experience in the trade period and in post-season retirements, but those making the move to western Sydney can more than hold their own. Lachie Keeffe has AFL experience, having played 40 games for Collingwood, while Dylan Buckley brings 39 games from his days as a Blue. Zac Langdon – a mature-age recruit from the WAFL – has been flagged as a potential inclusion up forward.

SPECULATION-FREE ZONE

The will-he won’t-he talk that surrounded star midfielder Josh Kelly last season is over, with the young gun re-signing at the end of the season. It was a weight off the shoulders, he said at the time, and will be able to enjoy a year free of chatter he could be on the move. Toby Greene comes out of contract at the end of 2018 but can’t see him going anywhere.

Josh Kelly re-signed during 2017.

Rory Lobb flies high. Picture: Michael Klein

LOBBING IN

Big man Rory Lobb has big shoes to fill but showed last year that he has exactly what it takes to step up to sole rucking duties. Shane Mumford’s retirement has left the door open for the tall to make the leap, having impressed with his work around the ground and marking ability last season. Will be working hard this pre-season to hone his tapwork.

TARANTO TIME

He was hampered by an ankle injury last season, but Tim Taranto will be looking to take the next step. There were positive signs in the first half of the season but he battled to hit his straps when he finally returned. Looks to be flying and could well eye more midfield time in 2018.