The GWS Giants are coming off a promising year, winning a final against cross-town rivals in the Sydney Swansย and will look to improve even further heading into 2022.
With two early first-round picks, the Giants will have the opportunity to select some top-end talent, which they are no stranger to acquiring.
A bid on promising tall forward Sam Darcy over Nick Daicos appears likely for the Giants, however with the Dogs certain to match the bid for Darcy, silky left-footer Finn Callaghan is the top option to land in western Sydney.
As draft night fast approaches, we look ahead to what the night may look like for the Giants list managers.
Draft hand
Picks: 2, 13, 53, 54, 70
Draft Points: 4211
GWS hold two picks inside the first round and are experienced in drafting at the top end of the order with players such as Tom Green, Jye Caldwell and Tim Taranto being taken in the first round in recent years.
The Giants have attracted interest from rival clubs in Gold Coast and Adelaide hoping to trade up for Pick 2, but it appears likely that GWS will hold onto their top pick, which gives them more options to select a top-end talent in Wednesday's draft.
A healthy tally of draft points will give the Giants flexibility in the draft, with the potential to be able to acquire more picks if need be, and be able to bid on their academy prospects, such as skilled defender Josh Fahey.
List needsย
A key-forward:
The Giants are in need of a tall presence inside the forward 50 to support Harry Himmelberg after the departure of Jeremy Finlayson, who moved on to Alberton to join Port Adelaide.
Forward Jesse Hogan is also in the lineup and can fill the void that Finlayson left, but is often injury-prone, so another tall would give the Giants insurance heading into 2022.
Despite being tipped to bid on father-son prospect Sam Darcy, son of Bulldogs great Luke, with the second pick of the draft, the Giants will have to look elsewhere given the imminent matched bid.
Outside Midfielder:
It is no surprise that the Giants have a plethora of talented midfielders on their list, and they look set to draft another one with their top pick.
An emerging outside runner is sure to aid the workload and impact of star duo Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly, while also offering plenty of run from defence and further up the field.
While a midfielder isn't necessarily a pressing need for the club, it seems Leon Cameron is set to move for the 'best available option' on the board, and Finn Callaghan fits the bill.
Callaghan would fit in nicely with fellow onballers in Kelly, Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper to form a formidable midfield lineup in 2022.
Ideal recruits
Finn Callaghan (midfielder):
As mentioned, Callaghan is the best available player in the draft for the Giants, after Jason Horne-Francis, Nick Daicos and Sam Darcy.
He's been likened to Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli with his silky left foot, which is high praise that would light up the eyes of many recruiters.
Throughout his six games with the Sandringham Dragons, the talented midfielder averaged 24.3 disposals, 3.2 tackles and 4.5 marks.
Would be a worthy selection for the Giants and could very well blossom into the best player from this draft class.
Mac Andrew [ruck/forward]:
Whilst Callaghan will be the most talented player at the Giants' disposal, Mac Andrew could be the player that best fits the club's needs at the present time.
Possessing height and athleticism that could see him play anywhere on the ground from the ruck to a key forward or defender, Andrew would be a selection that comes with a greater risk than Callaghan but could see GWS reap the rewards with this selection.
With comparisons to Melbourne's Luke Jackson, who also went early in the first round of the 2019 National Draft, Andrew is a draft bolter in recent times due to his ruck craft and explosive athleticism.
With the departure of talls in the side such as Shane Mumford and Jeremy Finlayson, the Dandenong Stingrays product is an exciting prospect that the Giants will be tempted to select.
RELATED: Kevin Sheehan's top 40 AFL draft prospects of 2021
Josh Fahey (defender):
A Giants Academy player, Fahey will likely end up at the Giants, with the club having enough points to be able to bid on the medium-sized defender.
Played in the Giants' VFL side as well as the NAB AFL Academy and impressed with his hard-nosed attitude, attack on the ball and ball use in rebounding from defensive 50.
Expected to go around the 25-30 mark, Fahey should end up a Giant by the end of the draft.
Jye Amiss (key-forward):
A Western Australian product who played extremely well for East Perth in the WAFL colts as a key forward, kicking 51 goals on the season.
Has drawn comparisons to West Coast veteran forward Josh Kennedy and would be a handy pick up for the Giants.
Expected to go in the 8-15 range, so the Giants will have to wait and see if West Coast take the 196cm forward with pick 10, otherwise, he could be there for Leon Cameron and his team to swoop at Pick 13.
