GWS GIANTS – WILL THE COACH BE THERE STORY OF 2022
2021 FINISHED 7th 11 WINS 10 LOSSES 1 DRAW (WON FIRST FINAL, THEN BEATEN BY GEELONG)
We look at the GWS Giants in our next team in our AFL 2022 season preview. The Giants have been thereabouts for a number of years now without ultimate success. They have talent which means they can challenge but the AFL betting markets has the jury out this year.
It was a very commendable effort by the GWS to make their way back to finals action after missing the finals in 2020 on the back of that Grand Final capitulation. However given that the Giants seemed to play above themselves at times in 2021 (we will get to that soon) the question is can they replicate the effort and energy to push up into the AFL finals again.
Coach Cameron in the last year of current contract
Coach Leon Cameron is in the final year of his contract. This could be a big distraction for the club particularly if they get away to a poor start. Leon Cameron has kept the wolves from the door by getting sides into finals but despite on field success there is no doubt the detractors are waiting to pounce. The Giants lost their first 3 in 2021 a similar effort this season would throw all sorts of chaos into the mix.
The most pleasing aspect of the Giants season was two fold:
a. their ability to steady after a poor start and then move to the finals
b. with a significant Injury toll their youth were able to stand up and deliver
This SHOULD give a great grounding to further improvement in 2022 but it doesn’t always turn out this way.
2022 AFL draw works in Giants favour
The Giants actually have a remarkable start to the year on paper as follows:
– 7 of their first 10 matches are against bottom 8 sides
It is a terrific launching pad for them to really get an early head start. The middle of the year will be where the season is made or lost for the Giants with a 7 of 9 game stretch against top 8 teams.
Co-Captains to fix Leadership issues
In the recent documentary Making Their Mark it was evident that Stephen Coniglio had been thrust into the leadership role and he was struggling to find his way. This seems to have been addressed somewhat with the Giants making 3 co-captains (Toby Greene, James Kelly and Coiniglio). Along with appointing James Hird to a leadership development role at the club, the leadership aspect really could be something that elevates the effort of he Giants in 2022.
Complacency is what will need to be guarded against this year. With the youth producing last year there can be a sense of “it will just happen” when the senior players are up and running. However history shows this is totally incorrect the work must ALWAYS be done for success…
The seeming “easy” start to the year is a double edged sword for the Giants as in get it wrong and Cameron under siege OR get it right and their season is set up.
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