At first glance, the Giant's list doesn't look in dire need of any help as it is well-balanced and there aren't any glaring weaknesses.
Despite losing several star players in recent years, including an exodus of six in 2020, it is still a finals calibre list.
The back half is well covered, the midfield is a trench and the forward line is capable of scoring highly.
The men from Tom Wills Oval surprised many this season to make their fifth finals series after being smashed in the 2019 grand final and finishing 10th in 2020, the Giants looked in all sorts after starting the season 0-3.
While GWS has shown they can contend, what do they need to take the next step forward to win their first flag?
SEE ALSO:
- ย If your team could steal one player: Adelaide Crows
-ย ย If your team could steal one player: Brisbane Lions
-ย ย If your team could steal one player: Carlton Blues
- ย If your team could steal one player: Collingwood Magpies
- ย If your team could steal one player: Essendon Bombers
- ย If your team could steal one player: Fremantle Dockers
- If your team could steal one player: Geelong Cats
- If your team could steal one player: Gold Coast Suns
Gaps in best 22
Despite the thought that their list well stocked, Greater Western Sydney do need a key position player. A key forward to be precise.
The club had the least amount of total goals out of the top eight this season, which would surely leave coach Leon Cameron seeking a lifeline in the forward line.
The loss of Jeremy Finlayson (23 goals) to Port Adelaide hurts, especially after losing Jeremy Cameron the year before. This leaves a lot of pressure on Harry Himmelberg.
A potential star forward that has previously been compared to greats like Wayne Carey and Matthew Pavlich remains on the fringe in Jake Riccardi, but he doesn't get game time.
While the club does have Toby Greene (45 goals), he clearly isn't a tall, and will be missing the first five weeks of 2022 due to suspension.
Retaining Ian 'Bobby' Hill will help, and the addition of Jesse Hogan (20 goals in nine games) worked a treat, but both need to remain consistent, something that has proven a challenge for Hogan across the course of his career.
The aforementioned deep midfield doesn't really require a boost, as pick No.3 Finn Callaghan will bring that. So a key position down back could be an option.
Meanwhile in the ruck, Shane Mumford has retired, leaving a big hole to fill. The Giants do have a few rucks on their list, but they haven't had much experience.
Finding a ready-made ruck would do wonders, and an even better option would be one that could help up-forward as well.
Candidates to steal
ย Option 1: Jeremy Cameron
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
The prodigal son returns! At least in the hypothetical scenario.
What's better than a key forward who is a former Coleman medalist? Even better, one that played nine seasons at your club and knows the structure.
Cameron was the leading goal kicker at the Giants in each of his nine seasons there, and is sorely missed.
In his first season at the Cattery, the two-time All-Australian averaged 11.7 disposals, 3.8 marks and 2.6 goals from 15 games.
A return to his original team would 100 percent help the club, and it would also make for a good story.
Option 2: Sean Darcy
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
A young ruck who can now find himself amongst the premier ruckmen in the competition after a breakout 2021 season.
Darcy had a career-best season at Fremantle, averaging 28.5 hit-outs (an elite 10 to advantage), 16.6 disposals, 4.3 marks and 4.7 clearances.
The 23-year-old was unlucky not to make the All-Australian team in a best and fairest season.
Still being young, the Victorian will help the current stock of rucks at West Sydney while also continuing to develop his own game.
With Mumford gone, GWS need a new big bodied ruck, and Darcy fits the bill.
Option 3: Jacob Weitering
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
While a key forward is the most sought option for GWS in this article, the men over the other side of the ground could use an extra hand.
With that in mind, in comes Weitering.
The Blue is one of the best defenders in the competition and has yet to reach his prime, at just 24-years-old.
After a best and fairest season in 2020, Weitering followed it up with another stellar season. He averaged 16.4 disposals, 7.6 marks, 6.3 rebounds and 8.0 spoils.
The Giants have youthful defence, and a young player with experience like the Dandenong Stingray product would help exponentially.
Option 4: Tom Papley
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
More scoring power is needed at GWS, and one name that could provide that is Papley.
If the Giants were to steal the small forward from across town, they would have an easy replacement for Greene in the first five rounds.
The Swan kicked a career-high 43 goals in 2021, while averaging 13.6 disposals, 3.9 marks and 1.9 goals. His season saw cemented as one of the competitions best small forwards with his maiden All-Australian jumper.
The Victorian brings crumbing ability, pressure and speed to the game, and would become one of Leon Cameron's best.
Verdict
Like we've said, the Giants need scoring power. This season saw 10 players kick 10 or more goals and they ranked last for scoring in the top eight.
With Finlayson out the door and Greene suspended for the opening five rounds, the start of the season could be disastrous.
While the idea of Jeremy Cameron returning would be great, they had their chances to win a flag with him and couldn't.
That's why we say take Papley from Sydney.
The 25-year-old would fill the void Greene leaves at the beginning of the season, but he could also potentially replace him up forward. This would leave Greene to run amok in the midfield, where he can be just as damaging.
Or, you could have both playing up-forward. Imagine that.
The idea of both Papley and Greene in the same team is a scary thought.
