The Look Ahead will be the staple pre-season content piece, setting a tone for all 18 teams. The plan is to use them as a scene setter for team trends and individuals. In other words, don’t expect predictions, expect topics to be introduced – from both a list build and on-field perspective.
After a preliminary final loss by the narrowest of margins, continuity has been the choice for GWS heading into 2024.
Player contracts
Of all teams, GWS may have the most low-key year coming up for their 2024 out of contract crop.
None of the players in that list who are of value appear any danger of asking out and the rest are either on the fringe or veterans whose deals – or lack of – will take care of themselves.
List demographics
With only Daniel Lloyd a significant departure from the team that won 11 of their last 14 games, it’s a list that is much the same as 2023.
A key difference – and benefit – is with a year under his belt as coach, Adam Kingsley is able to drill down on what worked and not have to worry about highlighting that while also integrating new players.
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Changes in personnel
In:
National Draft: Joe Fonti, Phoenix Gothard, James Leake, Harvey Thomas
Cat B Rookie: Nathan Wardius
Out: Phil Davis, Cam Fleeton, Matt Flynn, Jason Gillbee, Daniel Lloyd
How much can Aaron Cadman progress?
This section isn’t intended as ‘pressure on a number one draft pick’, it’s about how arguably GWS’ biggest avenue for improvement is Cadman merely being a serviceable AFL player in year two.
An improved Cadman over Keeffe, who played 14 of the last 16 games in 2023, shapes as the biggest ceiling raiser the Giants have available to them in a personnel swap.
For as much as the Giants’ system was clicking on all cylinders the longer last year went on, opponents were still able to hide defenders on Keeffe and gamble – correctly – he wouldn’t hurt them. While Keeffe was far from a liability, he still only kicked one goal in 14 matches.
That’s where the forward unit can improve most – if Cadman’s rate of progression quickens up a little bit.
Will there be more midfield rotations?
Game after game, it was almost exclusively a five-man on-ball rotation for the second half last year: Green, Coniglio, Ward, Kelly, and Callaghan when they were all healthy, with the latter two spending chunks of time on the wing.
Given the quality of those five it’s understandable it wasn’t the deepest dugout in the competition. But with Callaghan slated for more consistent on-ball minutes – his first full season consistently doing so – Kelly not having the cleanest soft tissue injury record, and Ward entering his age 34 year, there’s the chance for availability issues.
Overall though this is a minor issue (unless injuries hit whole scale), which highlights how good a spot GWS are in.
What is success for GWS in 2024?
It doesn’t appear the Giants are shying away from expectations, and throughout the year – even early on when results weren’t going their way – the process was always solid.
The defensive mix is formidable, the midfield is dynamic, and if the forward line can improve as mentioned above the sky is the limit. The aim should be a top four finish and moving from there into September.
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