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"Rivalry? Please. It’s Personal Now."
It’s that time again—where we drag ourselves up the Hume to play Australia’s favourite AFL science experiment: the GWS Giants. Created in a test tube somewhere in AFL House, given every draft pick known to man, and somehow still relying on Toby Greene to do everything.
Let’s not pretend this is a ‘natural’ rivalry. It’s not Essendon. It’s not Carlton. But every time we play this mob, it feels like a grudge match. Maybe it’s the colours. Maybe it’s the smug. Maybe it’s that they think having 18 academy players and 12 number one picks entitles them to relevance.
Saturday night under the lights in the nation's capital (which will echo nicely with the sound of their 113 fans clapping), we get our shot to shut them up again. And just to sweeten things: Busslinger debuts. The Dog Whisperer knew it early — so did woof!
So here we are. A club with soul, versus a club with... a PowerPoint presentation.
As a wise man once wrote, Blood and Boots v Focus groups.
Team Changes & Milestones
| IN | Jedd Busslinger, Laitham Vandermeer, James Harmes, Callum M. Brown |
| OUT | Liam Jones, Lachlan McNeil, Sam Darcy |
| NEW | [5] Jedd Busslinger – Debut game |
| MILESTONES | [39] Connor Idun – 100th game [5] Jedd Busslinger – Debut game [33] Aaron Naughton – 150th game |
| Giants | Brent Daniels, Stephen Coniglio |
| Western Bulldogs | Sam Darcy, Cody Weightman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Lachlan McNeil, Adam Treloar |
Team Line-ups
| GWS Giants | Position | Western Bulldogs |
| [39] Connor Idun, [15] Sam Taylor, [27] Harry Himmelberg | FB | [24] Buku Khamis, [5] Jedd Busslinger, [29] Lachlan Bramble |
| [6] Lachie Whitfield, [44] Jack Buckley, [7] Lachie Ash | HB | [39] Jason Johannisen, [7] Rory Lobb, [31] Bailey Dale |
| [10] Jacob Wehr, [17] Finn Callaghan, [8] Callan Ward | C | [34] Bailey Williams, [20] Ed Richards, [27] Joel Freijah |
| [2] Darcy Jones, [5] Aaron Cadman, [1] Harvey Thomas | HF | [23] Laitham Vandermeer, [18] James O'Donnell, [8] Matthew Kennedy |
| [4] Toby Greene, [23] Jesse Hogan, [20] Jake Stringer | FF | [9] Ryley Sanders, [33] Aaron Naughton, [14] Rhylee West |
| [32] Kieren Briggs, [22] Josh Kelly, [12] Tom Green | FOL | [44] Tim English, [4] Marcus Bontempelli, [21] Tom Liberatore |
| [14] Toby Bedford, [31] Toby McMullin, [18] Conor Stone, [26] Jake Riccardi, [33] Xavier O'Halloran | IC | [36] Luke Cleary, [42] Sam Davidson, [26] Josh Dolan, [22] James Harmes, [6] Cooper Hynes |
| [46] Callum M. Brown, [30] James Leake, [21] Leek Aleer | EMG | [13] Oskar Baker, [15] Taylor Duryea, [19] Liam Jones |
Western Bulldogs Statistical Rankings – 2025
| High Rankings | Low Rankings |
| ● Ranked 5th in Handballs Per Game ● Ranked 4th in Points Per Game ● Ranked 4th in Inside 50s Per Game ● Ranked 3rd in Goal Assists Per Game ● Ranked 4th in least Opponent Inside 50s Per Game ● Ranked 5th in least Opponent Clangers Per Game ● Ranked 3rd in Team to Opponent Inside 50s Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 5th in Team to Opponent Goal Assists Per Game Diff. |
● Ranked 13th in Tackles Per Game ● Ranked 13th in Hitouts Per Game ● Ranked 18th in Clangers Per Game ● Ranked 17th in Rebound 50s Per Game ● Ranked 16th in least Opponent Handballs Per Game ● Ranked 14th in least Opponent Disposals Per Game ● Ranked 17th in least Opponent Tackles Per Game ● Ranked 14th in least Opponent Hitouts Per Game ● Ranked 12th in least Opponent Goal Assists Per Game ● Ranked 15th in least Opponent Rebound 50s Per Game ● Ranked 18th in Team to Opponent Tackles Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 13th in Team to Opponent Hitouts Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 16th in Team to Opponent Clangers Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 16th in Team to Opponent Rebound 50s Per Game Diff. |
GWS Giants Statistical Rankings – 2025
| High Rankings | Low Rankings |
| ● Ranked 3rd in Handballs Per Game ● Ranked 2nd in Disposals Per Game ● Ranked 4th in Tackles Per Game ● Ranked 1st in Clangers Per Game ● Ranked 1st in Rebound 50s Per Game ● Ranked 5th in least Opponent Marks Per Game ● Ranked 1st in least Opponent Points Per Game ● Ranked 1st in least Opponent Tackles Per Game ● Ranked 1st in least Opponent Goal Assists Per Game ● Ranked 5th in Team to Opponent Kicks Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 3rd in Team to Opponent Handballs Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 2nd in Team to Opponent Disposals Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 4th in Team to Opponent Marks Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 4th in Team to Opponent Points Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 1st in Team to Opponent Tackles Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 4th in Team to Opponent Goal Assists Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 4th in Team to Opponent Clangers Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 2nd in Team to Opponent Rebound 50s Per Game Diff. |
● Ranked 12th in Points Per Game ● Ranked 16th in Hitouts Per Game ● Ranked 13th in Goal Assists Per Game ● Ranked 13th in Clearances Per Game ● Ranked 15th in least Opponent Inside 50s Per Game ● Ranked 13th in least Opponent Clangers Per Game ● Ranked 15th in Team to Opponent Hitouts Per Game Diff. ● Ranked 15th in Team to Opponent Inside 50s Per Game Diff. |
Recent Form
The Dogs have won 7 of the last 8 matchups between these two sides, including two wins at Manuka. The only loss being the come from behind win in Ballarat in 2023.
Player to watch
Darcy Jones #2. Skilled small forward. Real prospect I love the way he plays. (Swan Districts)
Key Matchups
Wow - really hard this week considering how many key position players are missing for the Dogs.
Defence
Last time we played them in the last game of 2024 it kind of started like this for us in defence.
Jones v Cadman
Lobb v Hogan
JOD v Greene
This time around we have to add Stringer in as a key defensive matchup I think, plus we are without Jones.
If they start in a similar way I can see it starting like this :
Busslinger v Cadman (Deep)
Lobb v Hogan (Middle?)
JOD v Greene (High)
Khamis v Stringer?? I really don't know about the Stringer matchup. I can't see anyone named in defence other than Bramble being strong enough. We may also want to exploit him going the other way with run if we play Buku forward and use Bramble.
As a wise woofer told me this week, the matchups may depend on where the opposition players start rather than a particular player, eg deepest, middle, highest. They do tend to swap around a bit.
Forward
Um...er...um... yeah.
How did it come to this! We have one KPF. Naughton is really going to have his work cutout for him this week. We like to play at least two talls, so someone from defence is probably coming up. Who that is I don't know looking at the defensive matchups. JOD or Buku? Or maybe a mid, a big, tall, mid. (I've heard of a guy).
Maybe the plan is and has to be to go short. Taylor and Buckley might have to fight over Aaron for a bit. There's also Himmelberg. They can all play rock paper scissors to have a crack at the great one.
Last time out it was Buckley who got Naughton, but we had JUH and Darcy.
I'm going to guess at :
Taylor to Naughton
Buckley to Buku or Bont
Himmelberg will have to find a small.
The other big component of the forward matchups is defending Ash and Whitfield. We did the job on Sinclair and Wanganeen-Millera last week so lets hope LVDM can pair with West to do the same.
Mid
Expect Bedford to tag, he does every week. No one can stop the Bont so Richards may have to cop it again.
High Level Opposition Analysis
The GWS Giants have built their 2025 form around control, pressure, and defensive discipline—and the stats back it up. They rank 2nd in total disposals, 3rd in handballs, and lead the league in rebound 50s and clangers (yes, the good and the bad). Lachie Whitfield continues to be a key distributor off half-back, averaging 22.17 kicks and 192 disposals so far, while Tom Green is doing it all inside with 33.4 disposals, 20 handballs, and 7.4 clearances per game. Jesse Hogan has been a reliable target up forward, averaging 5 goals per game, and Kieren Briggs has held his own in the ruck despite the team ranking lower in hitouts.
Score Sources
The Giants’ scoring profile in 2025 paints a clear picture of a side thriving off pressure and structured ball movement. Their biggest weapon is turnover, averaging a strong 47.3 points per game, highlighting their ability to capitalise on opposition mistakes. They’re also well-drilled transitioning from defence, generating 39.2 points from the back half and 37.0 from the forward half, showing balance and efficiency in moving the ball up the ground.
Scores from stoppage sit at a solid 32.3, reflecting a midfield group that holds its own in contested situations. Meanwhile, centre bounce scores (10.5) are more supplementary than dominant, and kick-ins (7.0) round out their total – a relatively low contribution that suggests they prefer structured exits over chaotic rebounds.
| Score Source | Average Points |
| CentreBounce | 10.5 |
| KickIn | 7.0 |
| Stoppage | 32.3 |
| Turnover | 47.3 |
| DefensiveHalf | 39.2 |
| ForwardHalf | 37.0 |
When they have it
Kickouts
GWS don’t show a strong preference for one side of the ground when kicking out after a behind. Their exits are well spread across the defensive 50, keeping opposition zones guessing. Harry Himmelberg is typically the go-to option to take the kickouts, and he’s composed with ball in hand—often waiting for a lead to develop rather than rushing the play. This balanced setup makes it difficult for teams to set predictable traps on exit.
Slow Play
When transitioning from defence slowly, they look to involve their half-backs or wings early, using short kicks to maintain control and stretch the opposition’s zone. If the switch is on, they’ll take it—but they’re not afraid to be patient. The key trigger for escape tends to be a long kick down the line to a contest, often targeting Kieren Briggs or another tall option on the wing.
Fast Play
When the Giants do decide to go quickly from defence, it’s a sharp contrast to their measured ball movement. Their fast play defensive transition relies on a string of quick possessions—often moving the ball backwards first to shift angles and find a free player. Once they spot the opening, they burst forward with overlap run, aiming to get it into the hands of their prime movers like Lachie Whitfield or Lachie Ash.
They’re not afraid to use the entire ground either. GWS will switch the play aggressively, even deep inside their back half, constantly probing for space and pulling apart opposition setups. If you give them time or allow their half-backs room to run, they’ll make you pay by flipping the field and surging into attack.
In dispute
Centre Bounce
At the first bounce, it’s generally Briggs in the ruck with Tom Green holding a neutral position around the ball. Callaghan often sets up on the defensive side of the contest, and Toby Bedford playing a tagging role. On the outside, Josh Kelly and Callan Ward typically man the wings, providing first spread options and structure behind the play.
Secondary Ball Ups
After a stoppage reset or secondary ball-up, the Giants don’t collapse around the ball. Instead, their wings hold width while half-forwards and half-backs push up to form a perimeter, covering exits. They tend to keep some players back so they can work out. They seem to trust their inside guys, who can blame them with Tom Green.
Variations
Josh Kelly will roll into the centre bounce, Jacob Wehr will shift onto a wing. In the ruck, while Briggs is the mainstay, Jake Riccardi is usually the second ruck/forward when he is playing and Briggs has a rest.
Stoppage around the ground
Will sit someone off the contest usually a half back or a wing to cover the defensive exit. They don't follow in the half forwards as a rule. Ward does the defensive winger role that Brayshaw made famous at the Demons I believe. There as a pivot at times.
When the opposition have it
GWS adopt a largely man-on-man approach when defending opposition ball movement. They’re vocal and organised—players actively point and direct to ensure loose opponents are picked up, keeping the structure tight. Jesse Hogan is usually the one standing the mark after a behind, and he doesn’t just go through the motions—he applies genuine pressure.
In transition defence, the Giants continue that one-on-one method, mirroring what many clubs now employ
Summary
With Darcy and Ugle-Hagan both sidelined, the Bulldogs will need to find a way to win with a smaller forward line. That puts added importance on the roles of Rhylee West and Laitham Vandermeer to apply pressure and hit the scoreboard. Don’t be surprised if Marcus Bontempelli spends more time forward to provide a marking target. Limiting the influence of rebounders like Whitfield and Ash will be crucial, as GWS generate significant scoring from their defensive half. Clean ball use and avoiding turnovers will go a long way—and whoever draws the Toby Greene matchup will need to be switched on from the first bounce.
Go Dogs!
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