Giants forward mix firing as blockbuster Blues clash looms

Jesse Hogan might be stealing the headlines for the Giants, but it’s the scoring options around him that could make the difference in their blockbuster clash with the Blues on Saturday, writes LACHLAN McKIRDY.

Callum Brown’s emergence in the Giants’ forward line typifies their focus on attacking as a pack. Picture: Phil Hillyard

When Callum Brown finishes training at Giants HQ, the Irishman is always quick to check his phone.

While he’s known for his athleticism and flair on the field, off it, his teammates have turned to him as the club’s resident hairdresser.

“Honestly, if anybody wants it they can text me around the club,” Brown said.

“A lot of the boys spend time together, especially a lot of the forwards. I’ve gotten into the haircutting business and it’s good for me because I get a bit of a chat and love for everyone.

“They can come around to my house after training or on days off. On trips, I always bring the clippers as well. I’m good with a fade, Cal Ward’s a bit better with the scissors than I am.”

A career shift to open up Brown’s Barbers isn’t on the cards anytime soon, however, it speaks to the togetherness of the Giants’ forward group that is spearheading their premiership charge in 2024.

The Giants had a close shave last weekend against St Kilda, something Brown has become used to. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Adam Kingsley’s side is undefeated, sitting on top of the ladder and holds the best percentage in the competition. The second-year coach believes it’s their forward mix that makes them so dangerous.

“We’re scoring well and we’ve got a variety of scoring options,” Kingsley said. “I think that makes us difficult to stop. Not impossible, but difficult.

“Our ability to spread the load in all lines, not just the forward line, is a really important attribute that I think we have.”

Jesse Hogan is the focal point of the Giants’ attack. The 29-year-old is leading the Coleman Medal race with 18 goals in five games and has his side’s most targets inside 50. But it’s the spread of talent beneath him creating headaches for opposition defenders.

Brown, Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman and Jake Riccardi have all been targeted 10 or more times inside 50 this season, profiting off Hogan’s ability to take the number one defender and combining for 33 marks inside forward 50.

While Jesse Hogan is stealing the headlines, the Giants’ forward mix is what has made them so potent in 2024. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s a stark contrast to their opponents on Saturday night, Carlton. Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow are far and away two of the best forwards in the competition. But if you can keep them relatively quiet, like the Giants did during their win in round 24 last year, it goes a long way to victory.

Matthew Owies, Patrick Cripps and Matt Kennedy are the next most regular targets for the Blues. They only have a combined eight marks inside 50 in 2024.

“I think if everyone’s playing their roles, that’s a reason why they’re getting goals,” Brown said.

“Like Hoges who has kicked five (in a game), if we can get him one-on-one, we want to do that every time because he’s going to win it nine out of 10 times.

“You can see how much it means to him to finally get up and going again and playing his best footy. It brings more energy to everybody, encourages him to play better and if he’s playing well it means we’re doing our job right. He’s the leading goal kicker, we want to keep it that way as well.

“All of our forwards are good one-on-one players, so we want that for everybody.”

The Giants have proven in the past they can keep Curnow and McKay quiet, and it will be the key to victory on Saturday. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

After coming to the club as an incredible athlete from the Gaelic football system who could play anywhere, Brown has finally found a home in the forward line. He knows he’s far from the finished product, but 10 goals in five games suggests he’s on the right path.

Ultimately, he wants to absorb aspects from each of his teammates – Hogan’s marking, Greene’s trickery or Cadman’s leading – to create the best version of himself.

“I’m still trying to learn my forward craft never mind the positioning of where I’m playing,” Brown said. “I go through vision every single day with coaches or players – I play a bit of Toby’s role so I go to him a lot more and see what he does.

“I want to become a player who can light the game up. Toby does it every single game, he always kicks some amazing goal and I want to be that kind of player who does that and give a name for myself.”

Brown and Cadman (L) will be looking to step up to the plate if Hogan is shut down by the Blues’ impressive defence. Picture: Phil Hillyard

There’s no better chance to do that against a Carlton side missing Mitch McGovern in a battle of two teams contesting for this year’s top four.

“I may have dropped a bit of form so I want to lift this week because it’s one of the best games to do it,” Brown said.

“They’ve got a great defence, they’re so hard to work up and down because they like to rotate so early. They communicate well and like to support the other backs.

“We want to play our game and our system. If we do that, I don’t think they’ll be able to keep up with us like every team this year.

“If we can knock off one of the top teams like Carlton then I think most teams will be scared to come up against us.”

Originally published as Giants forward mix firing as blockbuster Blues clash looms