GWS coach Adam Kinglsey has flagged second-year forward Phoenix Gothard as a player he suspects will "be pushing hard" for a spot in the Giants' side in 2025.
Gothard - who was the club's opening selection of the 2023 draft at Pick 12 - battled glandular fever and a calf issue in his maiden campaign to feature in just the dozen VFL games last year.
He would manage to flex his forward craft at the state league level, with a strong run of form culminating with a four-goal, 19-disposal outing against Gold Coast in July.
His formidable finish to last year, coupled with a head-turning second pre-season in Sydney's west, has led to Gothard earning the praise of his senior coach on the eve of the coming season.
When questioned on the fringe forwards who are pleading their case this summer, Kingsley noted Gothard as a standout.
"We've got some emerging guys who we think are going to be really good players... [the forward line] is difficult to break into," Kingsley said on Friday.
"Phoenix Gothard is one name that comes to mind who has been really good across the pre-season so far.
"He missed a lot of games last year through injury ut towards the back end came on and started to show glimpses of being that player we drafted.
"With another pre-season under his belt he's performed really strongly, I expect him to be pushing hard (for a debut).
"There's a bunch of other guys who are pushing their case and then there's the new guys who have come in, they're not going to wait for anyone."
Gothard will be looking to cement his place in a star-studded attacking contingent under Kingsley, whose arsenal only got stronger over the off-season with the addition of Jake Stringer.
The premiership Bulldog and ex-Bomber arrives at GWS after a 42-goal campaign in the red and black, with the veteran livewire seeking a move elsewhere for 2025 to secure his future on a multi-year contract.
While competition for spots will be high, Kingsley sees Stringer having no issue slotting into a role and causing headaches for the opposition quickly.
"We'll find a spot for him, he kicked 42 goals last year," the Giants coach added.
"He'll work within our forward line and play the role that we need him to play, whatever the game dictates.
We think he's a difficult match-up deep.ย We think him getting the ball through the midfield with his skill, his power and his speed can help us play the brand that we want to play.
"There are a couple of positions ahead of the ball we think he can play.ย He's such a difficult player to play on, it will maybe ask the question of the opposition who they play on Toby Greene, who they play on Jake Stringer, who they play on Brent Daniels.
"Ultimately, we primarily focus on ourselves and how we manage our personnel."
Kingsley has been impressed by Stringer's "work ethic" and "attitude" since venturing north, with the Giants' top recruit having enjoyed a near-full pre-season to date.
"I've seen a terrific work ethic, I've seen him embrace the way we want him to play in our system really well," Kingsley said.ย
"He gets to work and has been training almost every session. Certainly post-Christmas he's been in every session.
"We still manage him accordingly, but I've been really pleased with his effort and attitude."
The Giants are scheduled to face Sydney and Carlton as part of their pre-season matches in late February prior to an Opening Round bout with Collingwood at Engie Stadium on Sunday, March 9.
