Is GWS Still Viable?

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Is GWS Still Viable?

I tend to think they’ve got a recruiting bias towards these types of player but it’s serving them well at the moment at certain draft ranges. You get (usually) a more immediate impact from some of these players and they’ve been able to transition them into other roles too.

Will be interesting to see how they manage list composition longer term.

[Twodogs]

Re: Is GWS Still Viable?

I think with more clubs in the competition we've seen a trend away from every club trying to play the same type of football. We went through a phase of teams playing catch the leader and playing the same game style as the previous year's premiers ever since the old suburban grounds were done away with and clubs played a style of football that best suited the conditions of their home ground.

Now coaches seem to want a point of difference to the way other coaches have their teams playing and two or three small forwards is GWS's.

[GVGjr]

From Code Sports - How do you think they will go in 2025?

GWS were 44 points ahead of Brisbane in the first semi final.

The Lions roared back to win by five, then won the flag.

It was an agonising defeat that will no doubt be driving the Giants through pre-season.

Can the club regroup with some added star power and claim that elusive first premiership?

Lachlan McKirdy analyses where GWS are at, where they’re headed and everything in between.

SURPRISE PACKET OF 2024

Darcy Jones finally got his chance in 2024 and did not disappoint. His blistering pace lit up the Giants’ forward line and his tenacity without the ball created plenty of pressure. He’s the perfect cog for the orange tsunami and with a season, and soon to be a first proper pre-season, under his belt, he should take his game to the next level.

INS AND OUTS

IN: Cody Angove (No.24 draft pick), Josaia Delana (Category B rookie), Oliver Hannaford (No.18 draft pick), Harry Oliver (No.19 draft pick), Jack Ough (No.36 draft pick), Logan Smith (No.71 draft pick, Academy), Jake Stringer (trade, Essendon)

OUT: Isaac Cumming (free agent, Adelaide), Cooper Hamilton (delisted), Nick Haynes (free agent, Carlton), Adam Kennedy (retired), James Peatling (trade, Adelaide), Harry Perryman (free agent, Collingwood), Braydon Preuss (delisted)

PREDICTED 2025 BEST 23

FB: Connor Idun, Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley
HB: Lachie Whitfield, Harry Himmelberg, Lachie Ash
C: Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio, Finn Callaghan
HF: Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Brent Daniels
FF: Darcy Jones, Aaron Cadman, Jake Stringer
FOLL: Kieren Briggs, Tom Green, Josh Kelly
INT: Toby Bedford, Xavier O’Halloran, Jake Riccardi, James Leake, Leek Aleer

[GVGjr]

This team is really stacked. If they stay fit they should be a genuine chance to the flag.
What do you think their chances might be?

GhJurgCawAAFtJ4.jpg

[Grantysghost]

This team is really stacked. If they stay fit they should be a genuine chance to the flag.
What do you think their chances might be?

GhJurgCawAAFtJ4.jpg

Be really interesting to see how Stringer combines with Hogan. Jake likes to be the deepest at times, I wonder if that frees up Hogan a bit to move up more.

[jazzadogs]

They should be right up there as flag favourites. No real weak spot in that lineup. Oldest players are Greene and Coniglio at 31, with lots around 25-28.

The big question mark is what effect their finals capitulation has on them...is it like Bulldogs post 2021 where they never mentally recover? I sure hope so.

[NAUGHTY100]

This team is really stacked. If they stay fit they should be a genuine chance to the flag.
What do you think their chances might be?

GhJurgCawAAFtJ4.jpg

Thats a darn scary side to play , no real weakness and with the addition of Stringer and Oliver Hannaford, they could go all the way , as long as they stay fit and healthy , Stringer like him or not on his day is a match winner and his partnership with Hogan will be interesting to see how it plays out , Stringer won't get the best backman while Hogan is there so if he puts his mind to it he could be scary to say the least , so im thinking GWS will be right up there top 4 .

[azabob]

Thats a darn scary side to play , no real weakness and with the addition of Stringer and Oliver Hannaford, they could go all the way , as long as they stay fit and healthy , Stringer like him or not on his day is a match winner and his partnership with Hogan will be interesting to see how it plays out , Stringer won't get the best backman while Hogan is there so if he puts his mind to it he could be scary to say the least , so im thinking GWS will be right up there top 4 .

Hard to dispute any of that.

Their biggest weakness is similar to ours, consistency in game and week to week!

[Dogs 24/7]

There isn't a lot of weaknesses. They will be a threat again.

[mjp]

Thats a darn scary side to play , no real weakness and with the addition of Stringer and Oliver Hannaford, they could go all the way , as long as they stay fit and healthy , Stringer like him or not on his day is a match winner and his partnership with Hogan will be interesting to see how it plays out , Stringer won't get the best backman while Hogan is there so if he puts his mind to it he could be scary to say the least , so im thinking GWS will be right up there top 4 .

As much as I love Coniglio - he isn't getting better. They are rolling out a midfield group that's getting older - and the newest of them (Green) isn't a great runner...count me as not sold.

Now they've added Stringer - NOT a winning player if the past 7 or so years are evidence of anything - to a forward line that was humming with Hogan, Greene and Cadman as targets with Daniels, Jones, Brown et al running around? Seems like they're just making a mess of things...allowing Brisbane to mount a 40+ point comeback had stuff all to do with the forwards...Taylor's back - just let it settle....

I'll need to see this work before I am prepared to agree...

[NAUGHTY100]

As much as I love Coniglio - he isn't getting better. They are rolling out a midfield group that's getting older - and the newest of them (Green) isn't a great runner...count me as not sold.

Now they've added Stringer - NOT a winning player if the past 7 or so years are evidence of anything - to a forward line that was humming with Hogan, Greene and Cadman as targets with Daniels, Jones, Brown et al running around? Seems like they're just making a mess of things...allowing Brisbane to mount a 40+ point comeback had stuff all to do with the forwards...Taylor's back - just let it settle....

I'll need to see this work before I am prepared to agree...

Agree to disagree with you mjp about Stringer i get his not what you call a winning player , but on his day he is a match winner and added to that side ,its a dangerous ingredient.

[mjp]

Agree to disagree with you mjp about Stringer i get his not what you call a winning player , but on his day he is a match winner and added to that side ,its a dangerous ingredient.

Example?

[azabob]

mjp I love how you have now twice used the same to question both GWS and the Lions finals chances in 2025!!! You’ve also ruled out the pies, you willing to rule anyone in?

[mjp]

mjp I love how you have now twice used the same to question both GWS and the Lions finals chances in 2025!!! You’ve also ruled out the pies, you willing to rule anyone in?

It's not that. I mean - it is, but it isn't.

I just get exhausted of the narrative that looks at the names on paper and says that equals finals.

The Giants side DOES look powerful - but does anyone think a midfield reliant heavily on Coniglio, Kelly and Whitfield is getting BETTER? And adding Stringer? Why? It makes NO SENSE. They have Hogan, Greene and Cadman humming and Brown building...and react to a bad loss by bringing in a wildcard of a player who I can't remember EVER playing well in a final.

Collingwood have great names - 100%. But they ARE getting old. And everyone losing their mind over Dan Houston...I mean, cool man. He's played his best footy as a sliding half-back...now he's a full-time mid. It might work but he's not taking them to the promised land and they still have no forwards.

Brisbane are interesting - but Daniher is critical to them and they don't make the GF without his heroics vs GWS...and now they've played in back-to-back grand finals they have not had much of a break...they are going to cop injuries and their young players have not had much opportunity to grow...

You want me to rule someone in? How about US?
- I know I've said it 1000 times but we were top 2 for attack and defense last year...yes, Hawthorn beat us bad and that was terribly disappointing but it was ONE GAME. I know I'm jumping the gun but if Lobb and Jones can hold it together, if Bont, Treloar and Richards continue to be themselves and Bailey Dale plays another season like he did in 2024...look at. And Darcy is so exciting - if there is one player in the competition who passes the "I wouldn't want to have to play on him" test, well, it's Darcy.

I am lost with what Hawthorn are doing down back and how that's gonna work, I still don't think Carlton have enough class around Cripps and Walsh and whilst Geelong always find a way they have no ruckman, no forward line and a very pedestrian midfield...

For the first time in a LONG time I actually think Bevo has a squad with the physical maturity to crack in and get the job done...the scars of 2021 have gone and guys who were role players (Dale, Richards etc) are genuine stars of the competition. If Richards played at Collingwood he would be in the top few fancies for the Brownlow....as it turns out, he plays for us and he's in the top few fancies to finish 2nd in the club b&f to one of the best players of all time (not hyperbole). YES - it is a worry that Jones is old - but Buss is ready. YES it is a worry that Liber is old - but Sanders is ready. The lack of a backup to Duryea is a genuine concern as is the composition of the outside mid role - but foot soldiers like McNeil and VDM might not be beloved by the fans but the coaches TRUST them for a reason - they know the plan and they run their butts off even if they wont get the footy...they understand TEAM.

So there ya go.

p.s. I like what Adelaide are building because they have a forward line that will kick goals.

[josie]

It's not that. I mean - it is, but it isn't.

I just get exhausted of the narrative that looks at the names on paper and says that equals finals.

The Giants side DOES look powerful - but does anyone think a midfield reliant heavily on Coniglio, Kelly and Whitfield is getting BETTER? And adding Stringer? Why? It makes NO SENSE. They have Hogan, Greene and Cadman humming and Brown building...and react to a bad loss by bringing in a wildcard of a player who I can't remember EVER playing well in a final.

Collingwood have great names - 100%. But they ARE getting old. And everyone losing their mind over Dan Houston...I mean, cool man. He's played his best footy as a sliding half-back...now he's a full-time mid. It might work but he's not taking them to the promised land and they still have no forwards.

Brisbane are interesting - but Daniher is critical to them and they don't make the GF without his heroics vs GWS...and now they've played in back-to-back grand finals they have not had much of a break...they are going to cop injuries and their young players have not had much opportunity to grow...

You want me to rule someone in? How about US?
- I know I've said it 1000 times but we were top 2 for attack and defense last year...yes, Hawthorn beat us bad and that was terribly disappointing but it was ONE GAME. I know I'm jumping the gun but if Lobb and Jones can hold it together, if Bont, Treloar and Richards continue to be themselves and Bailey Dale plays another season like he did in 2024...look at. And Darcy is so exciting - if there is one player in the competition who passes the "I wouldn't want to have to play on him" test, well, it's Darcy.

I am lost with what Hawthorn are doing down back and how that's gonna work, I still don't think Carlton have enough class around Cripps and Walsh and whilst Geelong always find a way they have no ruckman, no forward line and a very pedestrian midfield...

For the first time in a LONG time I actually think Bevo has a squad with the physical maturity to crack in and get the job done...the scars of 2021 have gone and guys who were role players (Dale, Richards etc) are genuine stars of the competition. If Richards played at Collingwood he would be in the top few fancies for the Brownlow....as it turns out, he plays for us and he's in the top few fancies to finish 2nd in the club b&f to one of the best players of all time (not hyperbole). YES - it is a worry that Jones is old - but Buss is ready. YES it is a worry that Liber is old - but Sanders is ready. The lack of a backup to Duryea is a genuine concern as is the composition of the outside mid role - but foot soldiers like McNeil and VDM might not be beloved by the fans but the coaches TRUST them for a reason - they know the plan and they run their butts off even if they wont get the footy...they understand TEAM.

So there ya go.

p.s. I like what Adelaide are building because they have a forward line that will kick goals.

Thanks MJP. I trust your footy nous and am quite heartened by your thoughts on our chances.