GWS Giants forge finals path on the back of shrewd trading
GWS has traded an entire team of Giants on its path to a historic finals campaign, reaping six first-round picks and two ready-made stars.
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GREATER Western Sydney has traded an entire team of Giants players on its path to a historic finals campaign, reaping six first-round picks and two ready-made stars.
The club’s generous list allowances included access to the game’s best 17-year-olds, a larger salary cap and a mini-draft which reaped seven extra first-round selections.
But the club’s willingness to trade 20 players back to heartland and non-Victorian clubs has harnessed an amazing bounty.
Not only have the Giants secured All-Australians Ryan Griffen and Heath Shaw from those trades, they continue to stockpile high selections.
GWS was able to secure two first-round picks for Collingwood’s Adam Treloar, one from the Tom Boyd trade and another from the Kristian Jaksch trade.
The off-loading off Dom Tyson saw them improve their draft position to selection No. 2 (Josh Kelly).
The adventurous trading has benefited the competition, with Melbourne’s Sam Frost the latest ex-GWS player to play a starring role over the weekend.
But it has also eased the GWS salary cap position and allowed them to trade in players for points to secure NSW academy players.
The Giants have also been able to secure three second-round picks — for Curtly Hampton and Jack Hombsch.
“We have been active in trading which has led to redistribution of talent across the competition,’’ football boss Wayne Campbell said.
“There is evidence across the competition of players who have come into the system and found their way to other clubs through the trade process or other means.
“That is ultimately good for the game and good for the talent pool.”
GWS has traded 21 of its listed players, with Richmond picking up Anthony Miles as a rookie.
Only Kurt Aylett and Sam Darley have been moved on by their second clubs, with most of the rest making meaningful contributions.
Such is the depth of talent at GWS that many of those players would not be able to secure regular game time in the current GWS side.
In the upcoming draft the Giants will use Collingwood’s first-round selection (currently pick five) and Geelong’s first-round pick, on-traded by Carlton.
If the Giants can continue their winning surge they will become the first of the two expansion clubs to feature in September.
The Giants also made separate deals to acquire Shane Mumford (for selection 39) and Joel Patfull (for pick 21) as well as securing Steve Johnson for a late future pick.
It was believed the Giants would have such difficulties to retain players they were handed access to four 17-year-olds they had to immediately trade.
Those players — Jack Martin, Brad Crouch, Jesse Hogan and Jaeger O’Meara — were traded for seven first-round picks.
Gold Coast did not have that access, and have traded only five players for selections.
Harley Bennell, Charlie Dixon and Zac Smith were traded this year, while Josh Caddy and Tom Hickey were traded in 2013.
FORMER GIANTS
B: S. Edwards (Ess), S. Frost (Mel), L. Plowman (Carl)
HB: K. Jaksch (Carl), J. Hombsch (PA), C. Hampton (Adel)
C: J. O’Rourke (Haw), A. Miles (Ric), D. Tyson (Mel)
HF: J. Lamb (Carl), J. Bruce (StK), J. Giles (WC)
FF: L. Sumner (Carl), T. Boyd (WB), T. Bugg (Mel)
Foll: A. Phillips (Carl), A. Treloar (Coll), T. Adams (Coll)
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