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Autopsy 2025 Round 15 - GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns, Sunday 22 June, 1.10pm Engie Stadium

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Adam Giant

All Australian
May 31, 2016
998
2,410
AFL Club
GWS
Well, just when we thought the season might be slipping away our boys produced one of their best performances of the year to take down the defending premiers Brisbane Lions on their home deck at the Gabba. Against a star-studded midfield, the return of Finn Callaghan and the inclusion of Harry Rowston made a massive difference to the midfield mix, with greatly improved results at centre clearances in particular. Aaron Cadman has easily his best game for the club and looked every bit a number one draft pick on the way to kicking five goals and taking 13 marks, while Toby Bedford looked more at home as a small, defensive pressure forward.

Opposition watch

The task doesn’t get too much easier in this week against the Gold Coast Suns. Although we’ve had the wood on them in recent years, Gold Coast are having their best season to date so far and look destined to play finals for the first time in their 15-season history. A quirk in the fixture means the Suns have only played 12 games heading into Round 15, so while level with us on 32 points, they currently boast an impressive 8-4 record in 2025.

Gold Coast have a stacked midfield with the likes of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell as their major ball-winners alongside the consistently solid ruck Jarrod Witts. Up forward, the two Ben’s – King and Long, have kicked 57 goals between them as one of the outstanding tall/small forward threats in the league. You’d imagine Sam Taylor gets the job on King and Connor Idun will be tasked with marking Long. Down back, off-season recruits Daniel Rioli and John Noble have been damaging from half-back and transformed the Suns’ game style with more run and gun coming out of defence.

The Suns are far from unbeatable though, in fact they’re a little bit like us with their recent Jekyll and Hyde form, losing to some sides they were favourites to beat. They also enter this match on the back of consecutive losses to Fremantle and Geelong, so they will be desperate to regain their early form heading into the business end of the season.

Potential team changes

Unfortunately, it looks like Brent Daniels will again be missing a stretch of games after being subbed off early against the Lions with an abdominal strain. Toby Greene, if deemed fit, is the likely inclusion. Beyond that, it’s unlikely that we’ll see many other changes to a winning team on the back of a strong performance. Jake Stringer was listed as returning this week according to the latest rehab report, but has he earned the right to be a walk-up starter? And who would we leave out if he is? I've said previously that he and Callum Brown are likely fighting for one spot in our best 23, and the Irishman was good against the Lions, kicking three goals. Josaia Delana looked lively at times but could be under pressure if the club looks to recall a more experienced player like Jacob Wehr or Toby McMullin.

Adam Giant’s prediction: GWS by 13 points.

So, fellow Giants fans, what are you expecting for this week’s match against Gold Coast?
 
Gameday for the Expansion Cup! This time around, it's actually a Big Deal, with both expansion teams sitting in the top 8, but at risk of dropping out with a loss (although Suns have games in hand). For the Giants, it's yet another massive game. We have been up and down all season, and have not looked good at home, with losses and near-losses to teams we should comfortably beat. So, this game against a team that is going really well this season will be a huge test - especially with the players we are missing.

Nonetheless, 23 players will run on to play this game, and it's in their hands. Hopefully they rise to the challenge. There are some mouthwatering match-ups across the park.

Weather seems OK, forecast is for 19 & cloudy - it would be nice if the sun came out to help the tsunami crack into its work.


GWS v GCS.png
 

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Jake Stringer the tactical sub for GWS.
 
Hardwick is a great coach and is on track to take Gold Coast to their first ever finals. As a 3 times premiership coach (only 12 other coaches have won more AFL premierships in history), he also was Kingsley’s head coach when coaching Richmond. Whilst we were fantastic against the AFL Premiers at Gabba on Saturday, our team is prone to inexplicable inconsistency and loss of focus during segments of a match. Against Gold Coast, I am feeling the opposite of how I felt before the Brisbane game - feeling confident of victory but bracing for the worst!
 

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Tom Green wanted us as supporters to go a bit easier on the players but when they put in performances like this what does he expect?
 

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Autopsy 2025 Round 15 - GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns, Sunday 22 June, 1.10pm Engie Stadium

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

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