GWS pulled it together late in 2021 before advancing to the second week of finals where they were no match for Geelong.
It wasn’t a bad result considering how the earlier stages of the season panned out, but can they build on that in 2022?
Defensively, the Giants look fairly well sorted with a nice mix of lockdown and rebound options.
Nick Haynes is at the forefront of that with his intercept expertise the hallmark of his game. Not far behind him is Sam Taylor who rediscovered his best in 2021 after missing most of 2020 with a serious health scare. Veteran Phil Davis still has a key role to play within the defensive group, but it’s the other end of the age scale where things are in especially good order. Isaac Cumming went to another level and natural improvement will see him progress into a quality player, Lachlan Ash also took giant strides last year and Connor Idun looks a talent. Lachlan Keeffe, who went down with a knee injury, will be back at some point to add depth, as will fellow ACL victim Jack Buckley.
The cherry on top of all of that is Lachie Whitfield as the side’s prime mover out of the backline. His run and carry can be devastating and his ability to roll through the middle or operate on a wing is a luxury for Leon Cameron.
The midfield is where the Giants really excel. New joint skipper Josh Kelly was the star of the show in 2021, winning a second Kevin Sheedy Medal, and was ably supported by Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, while Callan Ward turned the clock back. Throw Tom Green and Harry Perryman into the mix and there is plenty to like about that particular region of the ground.
And if co-captain Stephen Coniglio can get back to anywhere near his best, it could push the Giants from the brink into the genuine contenders category.
After again losing Shane Mumford to retirement, the Giants need Braydon Preuss to be fully fit in order to fill that ruck void. Matthew Flynn was serviceable when he played, but it appears an area of concern overall.
Toby Greene, who will lead the club alongside Kelly and Coniglio, will continue to be the barometer in the forward line, but only after he misses the first five matches through suspension. Without Greene, goals could be hard to come by early in the season so they’ll be looking to Harry Himmelberg and Jesse Hogan to really step up. Recruit Jarrod Brander has reportedly been training as a forward having been thrown around everywhere by West Coast. Short of that, the goalkicking options are a bit thin with Zach Sproule, Bobby Hill and Daniel Lloyd.
The Giants have star quality on all lines, but may just need to find another reliable avenue to goal as well as luck on the injury front if they are to challenge seriously in 2022.
DEFENDERS
Lachie Whitfield, Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Sam Taylor, Isaac Cumming, Lachlan Keeffe, Jack Buckley, Connor Idun, Lachlan Ash, Jake Stein, Jacob Wehr, James Peatling, Will Shaw, Cameron Fleeton, Leek Aleer.
MIDFIELDERS
Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward, Tom Green, Matt De Boer, Harry Perryman, Adam Kennedy, Conor Stone, Xavier O’Halloran, Finn Callaghan, Ryan Angwin.
RUCKS
Braydon Preuss, Matt Flynn, Kieren Briggs.
FORWARDS
Toby Greene, Harry Himmelberg, Jesse Hogan, Brent Daniels, Bobby Hill, Daniel Lloyd, Zach Sproule, Jarrod Brander, Jake Riccardi, Tanner Bruhn, Callum Brown, Josh Fahey, Cooper Hamilton.