GWS Giants

The top ten GWS Giants players of all-time

Are these the ten greatest Giants to lace a boot since inception?

Published by
Zero Hanger

Throughout the final years of the 1990s, AFL clubs across the land looked backward rather than forward, with selectors, historians and superstars converging to name their Teams of the 20th Century.

However, for the league's young expansion clubs, the chance to sit down and select their finest sides has not yet arisen.

So, as we near the quarter-time mark of the 21st century, what better time to run the rule on which players are likely to feature when the selectors of tomorrow get together in several decades' time?

While every club has an array of deadset legends that can be called on, we here at Zero Hanger have employed the following rules of selection:

  • Only statistics recorded and achievements accrued since the start of the 2000 AFL season will be acknowledged.
  • All statistics and awards must have been accrued while playing for the club in question.
  • Any player selected must have played at least 100 senior games for their respective club since the start of the 2000 AFL season.

Next up, we head to Sydney's west tos ettle which Giants tower above the rest.

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Phil Davis (2012-2023)

174 games 

Alongside his great mate Callan Ward, Davis acted as skipper for the first eight seasons of the Giants' history.

And though neither he nor his team would win any awards under his stewardship, the former Crow set a foundation to build off in Sydney's west.

As a life member, Davis' name is sure to bob up when selectors eventually converge to name their greatest Giants side of this century.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Co captain Phil Davis of the Giants welcomes Co captain Callan Ward of the Giants into the huddle during the 2017 AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 23, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Harry Himmelberg (2016-present)

152 games, 161 goals, 1.06 goals per game 

Across the course of his time in charcoal and orange, Himmelberg has acted as GWS' Mr. Fix-It, plugging holes down back while also pulling his weight up forward.

No more was this evident during the Giants' Gather Round win last year, a contest that saw the Wagga Wagga native slot goals, save one and haul in a peach of a Hangar.

With Himmelberg inked on at Homebush until the end of 2029, expect to see the swingman climb higher in the seasons to come.

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES - SEPTEMBER 08: Harrison Himmelberg of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the AFL Second Elimination Final match between the Sydney Swans and the GWS Giants at Sydney Cricket Ground on September 8, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Stephen Coniglio (2012-present)

202 games, 24.5 dispoals per game, 73 Brownlow votes, 0.4 votes per game

Brought east to Sydney's west under massive wraps, Coniglio has proven himself to be worth the hype across the past decade and change.

While injuries have hindered the Western Australian's influence, 'Cogs' has hit his stride again of late, with the former skipper averaging 26.7 disposals per game across the course of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Stephen Coniglio of the Giants leads his team out during the round 7 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Brisbane Lions at GIANTS Stadium on July 18, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Nick Haynes (2012-present)

1 x best and fairest (2020)
1 x All-Australian (2020)
203 games, 6.3 marks per game

For seasons on end, Haynes proved an immovable object under the ball inside the Giants' back half.

While a sublime aerialist, the Victorian has also proven to be a handy conduit heading forward, with Haynes' disposal often acting as the opening move in scoring chains.

Like Coniglio, Haynes has bounced back from a lull of late, featuring on 20 occasions last season.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Nick Haynes of the Giants looks upfield during the round 22 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at Spotless Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Callan Ward (2012-present)

1 x best and fairest (2012)
235 games, 23.5 disposals per game, 91 Brownlow votes, 0.4 votes per game

Hear the maxim 'lead by example' and many footy fans are sure to have Callan Ward in mind.

After punting on himself and shifting from Melbourne's west, the former Bulldog wasted no time in hitting his straps, claiming the Giants' inaugural best and fairest gong in 2012.

Still hard at it, expect Ward to keep ticking until every last drop of fuel leaves his tank.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Shane Mumford (left) and Callan Ward of the Giants celebrate as the final siren sounds during the 2016 AFL First Qualifying Final match between the Sydney Swans and the GWS Giants at ANZ Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Heath Shaw (2014-2020)

1 x best and fairest (2015)
2 x All-Australian (2015 and 2016)
152 games, 20.9 disposals, 6.3 rebound 50s and 6.2 marks per game

While a legacy Magpie after following in the footsteps of his father Ray and brother Rhyce, Shaw added to his legacy after trading Olympic Park for Homebush, proving the Giants with plenty of run, thrust and attitude across his seven seasons in Sydney.

Though Shaw was unable to add a second premiership medallion during his career's second chapter, his pair of All-Australian blazers and Kevin Sheedy Medal act as due rewards for sublime services rendered.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Heath Shaw of the Giants kicks during the round 17 AFL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at The Gabba on July 17, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Lachie Whitfield (2013-present)

2 x best and fairest (2018 and 2020)
1 x All-Australian (2018)
209 games, 23.5 disposals per game, 56 Brownlow votes, 0.3 votes per game

Brought north with the opening pick of the 2012 draft, Whitfield may have failed to stack on a tonne of weight, however, the Dandenong Stringray's product has evolved into an ever-reliable outside runner.

Now a veteran amongst Adam Kingsley's youthful cast, Whitfield continues to have an important role to play in writing the early pages of GWS' history books.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Lachie Whitfield of the Giantslu during the round one AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Essendon Bombers at GIANTS Stadium on March 24, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Josh Kelly (2014-present)

2 x best and fairest (2017 and 2021)
1 x All-Australian (2017)
198 games, 24.7 disposals per game, 88 Brownlow votes, 0.4 per game

Skillful, sharp and statistically proficient, Kelly has been the Giants' most discerning and damaging midfielder since the club's inception in 2012.

Another gun Victorian brought north and another blue-chip pick that failed to drag his feet when it came to getting his hands dirty.

Few opposition sides have an answer for the 28-year-old who still threatens more room for growth.

MELBOURNE - APRIL 09: Josh Kelly of the Giants celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 04 match between the Essendon Bombers and the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium on April 9, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jeremy Cameron (2012-2020)

1 x Coleman Medal (2019)
1 x best and fairest (2013)
9 x leading goalkicker (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020)
2 x All-Australian (2013 and 2019)
171 games, 427 goals, 2.5 goals per game

Perhaps the greatest key forward in the game today, the Dartmoor deadeye could never be faulted for wastefulness, with Cameron leading the Giants' goalkicking in each of his nine seasons with the club.

While his days in charcoal and orange are over, it would take a once-in-a-generation forward to knock Cameron off his current perch as the Giants' greatest-ever spearhead.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Jeremy Cameron of the Giants celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Toby Greene (2012-present)

2 x best and fairest (2016 and 2023)
3 x All-Australian (2016, 2021 and 2023)
215 games, 20.8 disposals per game, 331 goals, 1.5 goals per game, 72 Brownlow votes, 0.3 votes per game

Like Scott Pendlebury at Collingwood and his nemesis Bontempelli at the Bulldogs, when you think of the Giants, you think of Greene.

Once a baby-faced top-ten draftee, Greene wasted little time in turning into an assassin, both before goal and in the eye of the MRO.

However, while the Victorian's wrap sheet will always follow him, Greene's must-watch abilities ahead of the ball and in the guts have seen him earn plenty of positive nods too, namely as the All-Australian skipper last season.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Toby Greene of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the round 19 AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Gold Coast Suns at Manuka Oval, on July 23, 2023, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Published by
Zero Hanger