The return of Kieren Briggs and Jake Stringer proves GWS is getting it right in race to September

Aaron Cadman might have stolen the headlines with a career-best six-goal haul – but the performance of two other key men showed just what GWS is getting right in the run to September.

They say patience is a virtue, and in footy, it has rarely been applied better than the Giants’ approach to some of their key players as they notched their fourth-straight win, this time over Geelong.

Aaron Cadman might have stolen the headlines with his career-best six-goal haul, but after the Cats’ fast start, it was important contributions from several of the Giants’ injury-prone players that turned the game in their favour.

Geelong had all the early running in what has become a customary slow start from GWS over the past month. Three quick goals silenced the home crowd in a match that was crucial for both teams’ finals chances.

But after an arm wrestle around the stoppages in the first quarter, the brute strength of Kieren Briggs allowed the GWS midfield to monster their opposition and dominate the centre square for the rest of the match.

In the final three quarters of the game, the Giants won clearances 36-22, centre clearances 17-9 and contested possessions by 10.

Kieren Briggs goes head-to-head with Rhys Stanley in the ruck. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos

Throughout the week, all the talk was about how Adam Kingsley’s side would stop Bailey Smith and Max Holmes.

In the end, both players were completely inconsequential in the game. And while Finn Callaghan and Tom Green both won plenty of ball around the contest, for the most part, GWS had Briggs to thank.

The 25-year-old missed a month of footy in June as he rehabilitated an ankle injury. It was an ongoing issue that had been troubling him throughout the year, which had also contributed to a poorer stretch of form where he was close to being dropped.

In reality, the ruckman could have returned after just a week or two off. But with great wisdom, the Giants took the opportunity to both get game time into promising Academy ruckman Nick Madden, while also putting Briggs through an extra block of work to prepare him for the run towards finals.

Aaron Cadman was too good in the air for Geelong

The result is a fresh and fired-up Briggs determined to prove he’s the side’s No.1 ruckman.

“I probably could have played a couple of weeks after, but you know, the AFL is all about September and for us to be there,” Briggs said post-match.

“Maddo did an unreal job at stepping in, probably exceeded expectations, and we loved what he did and how he went about it. He’s going to be a gun, so he’s going to keep me on my toes for sure.

“But to get a training block under my belt after the sort of disjointed start to the year, off-season surgery and getting knocked out opening round, I probably just lacked a little bit of confidence.

“That month of training, after a little bit of rest for my ankle, Kingers will definitely claim that (decision), but I think it’s paying dividends a little bit.”

Kingsley added: “He worked really hard in that break to not only make his ankle better, but to also improve his fitness levels, improve his strength and improve his craft.

“I think he’s been contributing really strongly in both games, it’s nice to have him back.”

An excited Jake Stringer celebrates an Aaron Cadman goal. Picture: Brett Costello

One of Briggs’ main training partners during the month off was another star in their win over Geelong, Jake Stringer.

During open training sessions in June, when the first team would come from the field, Briggs and Stringer would regularly be doing additional work that included tackle and wrestling drills that left them out of breath and on their haunches.

Those extras have also paid off for ‘The Package’, who yet again delivered on Saturday night with four goals, including three crucial majors in the first half.

Although he has been back in the team for a few weeks, like Briggs, the Giants prioritised giving the former Bomber extra time on the sidelines to get his body right. With just a five-day turnaround before Thursday’s clash against Essendon, Kingsley admitted it could happen again with a tough call looming for Stringer not to face his old teammates.

But that’s the Giants of 2025. They aren’t focused on sentimentality; their only goal is building unstoppable momentum that will finally deliver them their maiden premiership.

“A lot of clubs always have that next man in motto, and we’re the same,” Briggs said. “There’s 44 on our list for a reason. If we need to call them, we do.

“They’ve trained the system over the summer and are working away in the VFL. So we trust the players that are going to come in and play their role.

“Jake’s down a power of work as well. I’ve seen him; he’s thrown me around as well, so we’re loving what he’s brought.

“We trust our team, and that’s what our whole system is built on, trust and reliability, and I think we showed that today.”

Originally published as The return of Kieren Briggs and Jake Stringer proves GWS is getting it right in race to September