Kieren Briggs on his goalkicking woes and becoming GWS Giants’ No.1 ruckman

Kieren Briggs has been one of the AFL’s breakout stars of the past two years. But as LACHLAN MCKIRDY discovers, there’s a glaring issue in the ruckman’s game he just can’t seem to shake.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Kieren Briggs of the Giants reacts after a missed kick on goal during the round 10 AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Western Bulldogs at ENGIE Stadium, on May 18, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

It’s the one part of Kieren Briggs’ game that brings a grimace to his face.

The Giants ruckman continues to take massive leaps in his development in his first full season as the club’s first-choice big man.

He was integral in last week’s win over the Carlton, sparking their midfield turnaround and arresting the Blues’ stoppage dominance.

But just don’t mention the war, which in this case is his goal-kicking.

The 24-year-old has kicked 0.11 in 2024, with that breakthrough major still eluding him so far.

“It keeps stacking up and Shane is getting stuck into me each week,” Briggs says with a smirk.

“Hopefully there’s one on the horizon soon.”

Briggs might have the goal-kicking yips, but he’s back to his best in all other facets of his game. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

He looked to have broken his drought in the third quarter against Carlton after he worked hard to mark the ball directly in front of goal. Although he knew immediately he had sprayed it wide – “I dropped the ball wrong and I knew it was going to miss as soon as I hit it,” he said — it’s part of a push to get Briggs past the yips and more involved in all facets of the match.

“Kingers has expressed that he doesn’t want me to just be a stoppage ruckman,” Briggs said.

“He wants me in front of the ball and behind the ball as well. So it was pleasing to take a few marks behind the ball and in the forward 50.”

It might sound like an easy addition to Briggs’ arsenal, but given how complete his game is in other portions it’s an important next step in his development.

Briggs is the No.1 ruckman in the competition for clearances, with his groundwork and ability to create multiple contests his biggest strength. That was on display against the Blues as he finished with 10 clearances, 12 hitouts to advantage and 16 contested possessions in a near-best-on-ground performance.

Generating repeat contests is a priority for Briggs as he looks to have maximum impact around the ground. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Given how much the Giants’ midfield group had been questioned over the past two months, Briggs knew he had the potential to be the one to lift and help inspire his side against one of the best teams in the competition.

And to lead their comeback from when they were 39 points down in the opening term has proven to be an important confidence booster for their run to September.

“It was probably my one focus area for the week, the follow-up stuff,” Briggs said.

“Across the year on averages, I haven’t really been doing that and that’s my game.

“Especially based off Mummy’s (Shane Mumford) career as well, it was all that follow-up stuff. So as soon as the ball hits the ground or is off hands, I get after it and apply pressure if I’m not picking it up myself.

Briggs still continues to look to mentor Shane Mumford for how to always improve his game. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“(After the first quarter) I just tried to remain settled. It’s easy to lose your head and get lost for the rest of the game, it was a bit scary.

“But Mummy just said to forget about the first quarter and go from there. I think we managed to do a good job in nullifying their influence for the rest of the game.

“We’ve sort of been challenged on that momentum piece in the last few weeks and teams kicking six or seven goals on us. We need to fix that up, but to be able to respond like that, unlike we have in previous weeks, was really pleasing.”

Top-5 for ruck hardball-gets this season (taking the ball from a ruck contest):

81 - Kieren Briggs
73 - Tristan Xerri
72 - Max Gawn
52 - Toby Nankervis
51 - Tom De Koning#SuperCoach#AFLFantasy

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) July 9, 2024

Briggs knows that generating pressure has to be the key focus for the Giants over the next seven weeks. When they turned it on against the Blues, they looked unstoppable, and they have a chance to double down on Sunday against the bottom-placed Tigers.

The ruckman will yet again look to set the tempo. The new rules at centre bounces have given him the license to be physical with his opposing ruck, something he used to great effect in his one-on-one battle against Tom De Koning.

Finally, it feels like the orange tsunami is starting to build again. And it has Briggs excited for another chance to get to the big stage.

Physicality and pressure will be the Giants’ focus in the back half of the year. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“The new rules around centre bounce are great and we’ve been working on ways to find what works best for me,” Briggs said. “Whether it’s jumping or not jumping, it’s looking at their athleticism and taking it away from them.

“We’re getting after it more. After quarter time, you could tell it felt like there were more orange jumpers around the contest. For us to have that influence for longer is going to take us a long way in games, and to be able to get the ball back.

Kieren Briggs is very good at football.

He may also have been very good at stacking shelves...#AFLGiantsBluespic.twitter.com/8C1PfUvfx6

— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 6, 2024

“Last year, we actually gave the ball back more than we did this year. And Kingers said we were playing with a bit of a handbrake this year. We were more daring on the weekend and I think you can only do that if you’re bringing the pressure.

“It’s only one win from 5th to 13th. We know how important each win is and we don’t want to end up in the same situation as last year where we’re relying on other teams to lose to be in. We’re confident in the way that we can win games and don’t want to put our destiny in other people’s hands…that’ll take us a long way to finals.”

Originally published as Kieren Briggs on his goalkicking woes and becoming GWS Giants’ No.1 ruckman