This year started off looking bleak for the Giants, with hardly anyone predicting they would make finals, let alone a prelim. Yet, after some patchy early form, that's exactly what they did, becoming the dark horse for the flag that no one wanted to come up against.
Following a bottom six finish in 2022, the Giants weren't expected to be much better this year and their early season form did nothing to convince anyone otherwise. The turnaround had to be seen to be believed.
From roughly the midway point of the year, the Giants lost just three of the next 14 games, wreaking havoc on the competition as they climbed into the top eight and quickly became the team most likely to cause an upset in September.
A heartbreaking one-point loss to eventual premiers Collingwood indicates that this team could achieve great things in the coming years and season 2024 will be a tough first step towards a premiership tilt.
With what has been graded as the toughest fixture in the AFL for 2024, not to mention having to overcome any mental scars from the brutal loss to the Pies, the Giants will have the chance to show everyone if they are the real deal.
The critical re-signings of Harry Himmelberg and Finn Callaghan are a huge boost to a club that has bled too much talent over the years, while the additions of Phoenix Gothard and James Leake on draft night ensure they continue to have young talent coming through.
Here's how we think they'll be named in 2024...
Jack Buckley and Sam Taylor pick themselves as they are arguably both in the top 10 key defenders in the entire competition. They were incredibly dependable this year as the Giants caught fire in the second half of the season.
The Giants are also blessed to still have veteran Nick Haynes as a tall defensive option down back to complement Buckley and Taylor, which also eases the pressure on Connor Idun.
To put it mildly, their key back stocks are the envy of the competition even with the retirement of Phil Davis.
With the talls boasting so much depth, their run and transition out of defence becomes even more crucial and it's here the Giants are also quite blessed to have elite running power.
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Between Lachie Whitefield and Lachie Ash, there is plenty of dash and pace out of this backline while Harry Perryman's elusiveness and sound decision-making in possession complements this group nicely.
Throw in Himmelberg's ability to play down back and Xavier O'Halloran's running prowess as a possible impact sub and there is plenty to like about how they will look down back in 2024.
The Giants boast one of the most well-balanced and potent midfields in the competition, a perfect mix of skill, strength, running power and football nous. The emergence of Kieren Briggs as one of the competition's best ruckmen has certainly taken them to another level.
Aside from Briggs' late run at an All-Australian jacket, the midfield was in danger of losing some of its lustre following the departures of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.
Enter Tom Green.
Having already shown that he can dominate games in 2022, Green took his game to another level in 2023, establishing himself as one of the most powerful and dominant midfielders in the AFL.
His career-best season was matched by the vast improvement of young gun Finn Callaghan, who began to show exactly why the Giants drafted him with Pick 3 in 2021. Callaghan's endurance, skill and athleticism have him earmarked as a star of the future.
Complementing these three tyros are veterans Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio, both already established stars of the game, while Isaac Cumming mans the opposite wing to Kelly.
Throw in Callan Ward's experience and brute force around the contest and the Giants' midfield ticks every box, not to mention the fact that they can run Whitfield and superstar Toby Greene through the centre bounces, it's clear they bat very deep.
The Giants will be hopeful that 2022 No.1 pick Aaron Cadman comes into the lineup for the retired Daniel Lloyd, while Jake Riccardi's stellar back half of 2023 sees him lock a spot in as the third tall or hybrid forward.
Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene are two of the first names on the sheet, with Hogan enjoying an impressive renaissance at the Giants, becoming a reliable target who can crash packs, kick goals and mark on the lead.
Greene meanwhile is arguably the best player in the competition, capable of the sublime and proving every bit the most inspired choice as a captain in recent memory.
Toby Bedford and Brent Daniels are so impressive as the pressure forwards the Giants love to have inside forward 50. Bedford in particular looks to be an absolute bargain pickup for GWS, cementing a spot and creating havoc for opponents.
The Giants will hope that youngster Phoenix Gothard finds his way into this lineup sooner rather than later and with the brilliant Harry Himmelberg and athletic Callum Brown available to play at both ends of the ground, this forward line is well-balanced and dangerous.
FB: Jack Buckley, Sam Taylor, Lachie Whitfield
HB: Lachie Ash, Connor Idun, Harry Perryman
C: Isaac Cumming, Tom Green, Josh Kelly
HF: Toby Bedford, Aaron Cadman, Brent Daniels
FF: Jake Riccardi, Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene
FO: Kieren Briggs, Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio
I/C: Nick Haynes, Harrison Himmelberg, Finn Callaghan, Callum Brown
Sub: Xavier O'Halloran