Giant James Peatling talks Sydney derby loss, finding a role for GWS

The Giants were swept aside by Sydney on Saturday in the clash of two fierce rivals, but youngster James Peatling says he and his teammates are seeing the optimistic side of a lean patch of form.

The Giants are taking solace in the fact they are far from finished the product yet still firmly entrenched in the top four after their disappointing Sydney Derby loss to the Swans on Saturday.

Despite a positive first quarter where they opened up a three-goal lead, the Giants struggled to adapt to the conditions once the rain arrived and were comprehensively beaten through the midfield.

But there was still a positive spin from Adam Kingsley as they prepare to bounce back against Essendon next weekend.

“Kingers put it in a really good way,” James Peatling said.

“This time last year we were 2-6. So, we know we’re not firing yet and we’re 6-2. There’s obviously work to be done, we’ve got to play some better footy.

“But we’re 6-2 which is better than being 2-6 like we were last year. There are glimpses of our best footy, but I think sustaining it for long periods of time is where we need to get to.”

Peatling was one of the Giants’ best in their 29-point loss to the Swans. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Giants’ midfield suffered a big blow in the first half when Tom Green was subbed out of the game with an ankle injury. Scans on Sunday confirmed that the contested-ball gun has been cleared of anything serious and will be a test to take on the Bombers.

However, Peatling has been one of the players on the fringes to step up in recent weeks.

After four consecutive games as the sub, Peatling has played on-ball for the past fortnight and finished with a team-high 24 disposals against the Swans. He also picked up eight tackles, four clearances and three score assists.

The 23-year-old, who was picked up in the 2021 mid-season draft, is feeling more confident in the AFL and is hopeful of retaining his place going forward.

Tom Green has been cleared of any serious injury after he was subbed out in the second quarter. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“Obviously you’re never comfortable because you’ve got some bloody good midfielders when everyone is fit and healthy,” Peatling said.

“It’s just about when I get my chance, taking the opportunity and playing some good footy and I’m enjoying it at the minute.

“Staying in the side is always nice. So it’s just playing my role, whether that’s a bit of inside or outside, depending on how we’re looking.”

While the Giants haven’t always come out on top around the stoppages this season, it’s rare to see them as thoroughly beaten as they were at the SCG. They ended the game -12 for clearances, -20 for hit-outs and -16 for contested possessions, contributing to an overwhelming number of scoring opportunities for the Swans.

It was a similar story in their only other loss for the year against Carlton, with Kingsley rightly disappointed with the lack of pressure his midfield was able to create further up the field.

Stephen Coniglio will return against the Bombers in a big boost to the Giants’ midfield. Picture: Phil Hillyard

They will welcome back former co-captain Stephen Coniglio this weekend against the Bombers in a massive boost. But Kingsley knows there needs to be a more concerted effort if they are to match it with the best sides in 2024.

“(No Green or Coniglio) could have had an impact, but the reality is they weren’t there and I expect the guys there to get the job done,” Kingsley said.

“The first quarter was good in a sense that I felt like we were up for the contest … after quarter time, that wasn’t the case. (The Swans) had a real thirst for the contest that we didn’t have at their level.

“(Peatling) has been good for us … but he was part of a midfield that got comprehensively beaten. I thought we tried to over handball the ball. We’ve got a bit of work to do there.”

Originally published as Giant James Peatling talks Sydney derby loss, finding a role for GWS