Young midfielder Finn Callaghan ready to live up to the hype and guide GWS Giants to a premiership

Most players would shy away from premiership talk in February — not Finn Callaghan. He’s happy for you to know the Giants are aiming high after going so close last season.

Finn Callaghan has been the name on everyone’s lips when talking about the Giants’ 2024 aspirations.

Going into his third season with the club, the talented 20-year-old has all the assets to become one of the competition’s elite midfielders.

For a player so young, it can often be hard to balance the pressure of being the ‘breakout star’. However, Callaghan relishes that expectation.

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“It’s good, I want to be the best player I can be and one of the best players,” Callaghan said.

“When people write stuff about me it’s nice, and I want to make sure I’m doing my bit by playing good footy. The most important thing is you back it up with your action on the field.

“You see (the articles). It’s hard not to with social media these days. But I just care what my coaches are saying and what my teammates think of me and go from there.”

Callaghan has been tipped by many to be the Giants’ breakout star this year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The self-belief at the Giants was evident throughout their run to the finals last season. Where others had written them off, they went into those same matches believing they were going to win.

Some might interpret that attitude as arrogance on paper, but in person, it’s clear to see it stems from a side brimming with confidence.

And Callaghan speaks for his teammates when he lays out their plans to replicate that success.

“I don’t think there’s any point hiding away from the fact that you want to win a flag,” Callaghan said. “If you didn’t want to win, what are we doing here really?

“We’re confident in the way we go about it and if we play our best football, it’s good enough to beat anyone. We want to win (the flag) and we’ll openly say it.

“I’m sure we’ll evolve as a team. It’s more than just what we did last year. We’ll build off the back of our defensive contest, carry that momentum and we’ll definitely go up another level just from being together another pre-season.

“My part is to become an important member of the team and help drive us towards a premiership in 2024.”

The early signs are that Callaghan’s actions will live up to his words.

The 20-year-old’s speed was on full display during the Giants’ win over St Kilda in last year’s finals. Picture: Michael Klein.

This year is the first time that he has been able to complete an entire pre-season. That effort is paying off with the midfielder one of the best on the park during Friday’s match simulation.

Playing predominantly on the ball, Callaghan has managed to take both his speed and size to the next level. Combine that with the former No. 3 draft pick’s natural skills by hand and he could become a force in one of the competition’s most exciting teams.

“It’s been great, I’ve finally got good continuity in my body,” Callaghan said.

“I feel fitter and stronger. I’ve never been able to get more than six weeks of a pre-season ahead of round one before.

“I certainly feel better in my legs and that I’ll be able to run out games. Building that connection and synergy with the boys has also been great.

“Naturally completing every session your tank is going to improve. But it’s more so skills and building our connection with midfielders and halfbacks. That’s certainly gone to another level and that’ll show in the games coming up.

“I think it will be a similar role (this year), Josh Kelly and I will still play on the ball and then a bit on the wing. But I’m happy to play wherever Kingers (coach Adam Kingsley) wants me, hopefully, that’ll be looking to be more on the ball.”

Knowing just how close they were to a grand final will continue to drive Callaghan and his teammates to improve. Picture: Phil Hillyard

He also needs no extra motivation after the Giants’ agonising one-point loss to the Pies in last year’s preliminary final.

That game, and the Giants’ two finals victories, will continue to serve as a reminder both of how well the team can play, and how far Callaghan has to go.

“Last year we were a bit slow to get off the blocks so it will be important for us to get going quickly,” Callaghan said. “There’s no better chance to that than against the reigning premiers.

“They were the benchmark of the comp so it will be good to test ourselves and see where we’re at.

“Seeing players like (Jordan) De Goey and those guys, their level in big games was an eye-opener of where I need to get to. And that’s where we want to be, we want to play finals.

“I’ll go to a new level this year, 100 per cent. And I’m looking forward to that.”