The Giants suffered a cruel finish to 2024 after a season where they were deemed genuine premiership contenders.
Two extraordinary come-from-behind wins from Sydney and Brisbane sent GWS packing in straight sets, despite dominant performances by Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan.
The Giants then lost significant cogs to their machine, watching Isaac Cumming, Nick Haynes, James Peatling, and Harry Perryman depart.ย The latter two remain the most notable exits, with Peatling and Perryman playing 19 and 21 games respectively in 2024.
However, the Giants were able to snag a late deal for wantaway Bomber Jake Stringer, creating a scary forward line on paper. Regardless of the lazy, unmotivated narratives surrounding Stringer, he still joins the Giants as a 40-goal-per-season player, adding on to Hogan and Toby Greene who also achieved that feat in 2024.
Players such as Leek Aleer, James Leake and Phoenix Gothard could all be pushing for more consistent selection in 2025, but the Giants' line-up will likely be a familiar sight next season.
We've assessed the Giants' squad and determined a best-23 side, analysing their depth across all three lines on the field.
Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, except for those expected to miss most or all of the season through injury or suspension.
Defenders
Sam Taylor headlines a strong defensive line for the Giants. Taylor was tracking for an All-Australian honour before injury reduced his appearances to just 16 in the home and away season, and should be around the mark again in 2025. Defensive counterpart Lachie Whitfield was given a blazer however after a career-best year.
Jack Buckley had a breakout year of his own and will be a central component to the Giants' success in defence, while Lachie Ash, Connor Idun and Leek Aleer will look to accelerate their careers following the departures of Haynes and Perryman.
Harry Himmelberg's experience will no doubt be an instant inclusion to the lineup, but Joe Fonti, Wade Derksen, Jacob Wehr and Pick 19 Harrison Oliver will likely have to earn a call-up later in the season.
