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Undefeated Giants’ scary message to rest of the competition

“We’re playing okay, we’re certainly not playing our best footy.”

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Have the Giants reached their potential? Or can they go to another level?

GWS coach Adam Kingsley believes they can despite being faultless in the opening month of the 2024 season.

After falling just one point short of a grand final berth last season, the Giants came into the new year full of expectations to replicate 2023, only this time going one week further.

Filled to the brim with talent across the entire field, the expansion club didn't look at rival clubs for players and only lost Matt Flynn to West Coast.

Heading to the draft, the Giants picked up four players, including two (Phoenix Gothard and James Leake) in the first round while Academy prospect Harvey Thomas was taken with Pick 59.

GWS Giants Academy prospect Harvey Thomas, 2023 (Image via AFL Photos)

And yes, that last name is familiar, having featured in every match this season.

But aside from that, Kingsley is relying on the players he already had on the list, while another year under the system will theoretically bode well for GWS.

However, sitting firmly placed on top, with a percentage of 155.4, the Giants leader is "happy" but wasn't convincing on RSN given the length of the season that has yet to play out.

"I've been happy with our first month, obviously sitting 4-0 is an ideal situation," Kingsley said on Monday.

"We're playing okay, we're certainly not playing our best footy I believe and to be able to still generate wins off the back of not playing our best, we've still got plenty of things to work on.

"Gold Coast challenged us in quite a few areas that we didn't cope with as well as we would've hoped. We'll get to work on that and continue to improve."

A good indicator of where a club is at is their defensive and offensive outputs, which is reflected by their percentages.

The Giants are second for points for (avg. 115 per game) while only conceding 74 points against (ranked third) a game.

And it's no wonder when you look at their side.

All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is leading the way, ranked first for intercept marks, and contested marks and has yet to lose a contested one-on-one contest in 15 tussles among key defenders.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 25: Sam Taylor of the GWS Giants handballs during the round 19 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Metricon Stadium on July 25, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

On the other end of the ground, journeyman Jesse Hogan leads the competition for goals, slotting 16 in the four matches to kick off 2024.

Performing at a career-best level, Kingsley puts Hogan's rise to stardom as maturity and knowing his role in the side.

"I think having a really clear understanding of what we require him to do," Kingsley said.

"He's kicking goals at the moment and we don't necessarily require him to be kicking goals, we just need him to compete.

"And so he'll draw the ball because he's a big target, whenever that ball kicked to him his job like every other key forward in the competition, is try and mark it or bring it to the ground for his littles.

"He does that incredibly well."

Joining Hogan is Callum M. Brown (10 goals), Aaron Cadman (eight) and Toby Greene (7).

Not to mention, the midfield group is starting to hit the scoreboard regularly, led by Brownlow favourite Tom Green.

Beginning the season in red-hot form, Green has been lauded for his professional attitude despite being 23 years old.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Tom Green of the Giants in action during the round 17 AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Hawthorn Hawks at GIANTS Stadium, on July 08, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

"He deals with the (outside attention) with an amazing attitude. He's so hungry, he wants to improve," Kingsley said.

"He knows he's got some really good strengths to his game that he continues to work on and build further.

"But he just gets to work, he's a highly intelligent player, person, and is a wonderful leader to have at our football club."

Flagged to take over his namesake (Toby Greene) as future captain of the club, Green continues to shoulder the enormous load and is doing so successfully.

All key statistical indicators have the Pick 10 from the 2019 National Draft in the elite category of the competition, rivalling the impact of stars like Marcus Bontempelli and Christian Petracca, who both have five years on him.

And while the team sits undefeated, they are not standing still.

These are not murmurs. These are not whispers.

There's a big, big sound coming from the west of the town.

And it is the sound of the mighty Giants.

Published by
Aidan Cellini