Determinant
Moderator
- Jan 9, 2012
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Well 2019 was certainly a rollercoaster!
The round one belting of the Bombers at home was followed 6 days later by a belting at the hands of the Eagles in Perth, and so the season progressed, never managed more than three consecutive wins in the regular season and even suffered three consecutive losses after our round 14 bye.
At no point was I confident, considering even, that we would be playing in the Grand Final right up until the siren went with us up by 4 points in the Prelim. As it turned out we didn’t really play the Grand Final, it would be more correct to say we attended. (Too soon?)
As a seemingly shellshocked group of 21 young men and Heater trudged off the ground and into a very sombre dressing room I found I was less devastated than expected, it could just be the sainter in me coming out but I don’t think so, I was so proud that we had got there against all odds, that I felt our fight had been getting to the game, winning it would have been awesome, but not winning it didn’t send me into despair, not by a long shot. Tim Taranto was our leading player in that game, a 21 year old kid who also laid 7 tackles, had 4 inside 50s and 4 rebound 50s! Seriously, the future is so bright we all gotta wear shades..
We lost Brett Delidio to retirement, unfortunately we never got to see him anywhere near his best, Dawson Simpson was a great clubman and will be missed.
After the exit interviews started the news directly impacting next year’s list started to come out.
Delists are rarely a source of glee and this year was no exception for us, losing (off field) livewire Dylan Buckley.
Then came the trades, one of my favourites, and seemingly of the squad’s favourite team mates was squeezed out as we watched Adam Tomlinson move to Melbourne where he will no doubt be a genuine asset. (Restricted free agent compensation – end of second round)
The next trade move was a pick swap with the Saints, out 12 and 18, in 6 and 59, this gave the saints better trade options for Hill and got us closer to a pick before Tom Green, win/win.
Then came the shock to no-one of Jonno being traded to the Hawks for a future fourth round pick (roughly equivalent to 1.5 packets of chips), I don’t have anything more to say on this one other than I genuinely wish the guy a brilliant future and the luck he will need to achieve it.
We then traded in a better than average ruck to give us the required bridge to being able to have Flynn/Briggs as our big men. Sam Jacobs was apparently excess to requirement at Adelaide and cost us a slightly lighter 1.3 packets of chips then we got for Jonno.
Aidan Bonar left for opportunity to join North Melbourne, hardly a new story for us and whilst he is a good player I don’t feel we have a net squad loss. Deal was Bonar and the actual Jonno pick for a future third.
The next deal ultimately may not have been required as the draft panned out, but it seems that rather simply trying to get ahead of a Green bid the club was targeting Ash, personally I think he is definitely gone by pick 6 so the move paid off. The trade was our pick 6 and a future first (18 most likely
) for pick 4.
We then had two live draft swaps, one on each day and both with the Pies. The first one was our 60 for their 62 and 70, and the second saw us hand over Melbourne’s future 3rd for 51 and a future 4th.
Our draft haul was somewhat delightful.
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Draft summary courtesy of the Roar, an excellent web based AFL news source
https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/11/30/2019-afl-draft-club-by-club-breakdown-and-review/
4. Lachie Ash (Murray Bushrangers)
10. Tom Green (GWS academy)
51. Jake Riccardi (Werribee VFL)
65. Thomas Hutchesson (SANFL)
Rookie draft
Redrafted Jake Stein, Tom Sheridan, Zach Sproule
This year’s Grand Finalists have once again found themselves at the pointy end of the draft, and look to have selected well.
Lachie ‘Dash’ Ash is a lightning-quick half-back who was exactly what they needed to add to their list given 2020 looks like being Heath Shaw’s last year.
Getting Green at pick 10 was an absolute steal, and means the club’s deficit for next year won’t be as big as they’d originally expected when they traded up from pick 4 to pick 6 to get in front of a possible Sydney bid.
They’ve traded out their 2020 first-round pick in order to do so, so are likely to be quieter draft players next year.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the Giants’ midfield over the next few years – Green was too good not to take, but is exactly the type of player they didn’t need, having taken three inside midfielders in the first-round last year.
His scope is such that he could be the best of them, but they can’t all play in the same team that already boasts Jacob Hopper, Harry Perryman, and Callan Ward, so other clubs will likely be watching closely to see if GWS can retain all that midfield talent.
I was surprised Riccardi was still on the board at pick 51, but he’s a super get for the Giants.
They don’t strictly need a key forward right now, but it doesn’t hurt to have one who can develop under Finlayson, Himmelberg, and Cameron, and pressure the latter two for a spot.
Hutchesson is a speculative selection, but the Giants wanted to round out their draft with someone who can play next year, and at 24 he fits that bill.
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On the back of the outs and ins and a reasonable optimism of getting more games out of Ward, Kelly, Whitfield, Coniglio, Langdon and Perryman at a minimum there is no doubt we enter 2020 a better team than we had for the bulk of 2019.
Our 2020 Fixture is below
Lets get out in droves and support the guys AT the games!!
2020 AFL Team
Team List:
A new generation of players will lead the GIANTS in 2020 with three new faces added to the leadership group under incoming captain Stephen Coniglio.
Reigning Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron, star forward Toby Greene and damaging wingman Lachie Whitfield have been elevated to the six-person leadership group and will take up official roles for the first time.
They join midfielders Josh Kelly and Matt De Boer, who will continue their leadership roles in the expanded group.
Unlike recent years, the leadership group will be without a designated vice-captain with each of the five players to share the responsibilities under Coniglio.
While no longer officially in the leadership group, long-term co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward will continue to provide support across the program after eight years in the top job.
GIANTS General Manager of Football Jason McCartney has welcomed the new additions.
“The whole playing group has been through a thorough process alongside our leadership consultant Cooper Cronk to settle on this group and we’re delighted to have Jeremy, Lachie and Toby join the leadership group for 2020,” said McCartney.
“All three players have been instrumental to the growth of the GIANTS in recent years and a spot in the official leadership group is well deserved.
“We’re very fortunate at the GIANTS to have some outstanding leaders and I’m really confident in the mix of players that will be supporting Stephen as on-field leaders.
“To have this group supported by Callan Ward and Phil Davis, who’ve led the club brilliantly since inception, has us in a really strong position for the upcoming season.”
The GIANTS open their 2020 season at GIANTS Stadium against Geelong on March 21 in the first-ever AFL/AFLW double-header for premiership points.
2020 GIANTS Leadership Group
Stephen Coniglio, 26, played 15 games in 2019 and has played 133 career games since being drafted with pick 2 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. 2019 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award recipient.
Josh Kelly, 24, played 18 games in 2019 to take his career tally to 118 games since being drafted with pick 2 in 2013. 2017 Kevin Sheedy Medallist.
Matt De Boer, 29, played 19 games in 2019; his third season as a GIANT. He has played 187 career games since his debut for Fremantle in 2009.
Toby Greene, 26, played 19 games in 2019 to take his career tally to 145 matches since being selected with pick 11 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. 2016 Kevin Sheedy Medallist.
Lachie Whitfield, 25, has played 133 career games including 19 in 2019. He was the number one draft pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft. 2018 Kevin Sheedy Medallist.
Jeremy Cameron, 26, played 24 games in 2019 to take his career total to 154. 2019 was a career best year with the left footer winning the Coleman Medal for his 76 goals. 2013 Kevin Sheedy Medallist.
Predicted Round 1 Team Ex “The Phantom” Herald Sun Link
B: Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Aidan Corr
HB: Heath Shaw, Sam Taylor, Zac Williams
C: Jye Caldwell, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Stephen Coniglio, Harry Himelberg, Bobby Hill
F: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson
1R: Sam Jacobs, Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto
INTER: Jacob Hopper, Brett Daniels, Matt de Boer, Harry Perryman
Personally I think XO, Ash, Mumford, Hately, Sheridan, Langdon & Kennedy are as likely to be in the team for long stints as some listed above.
Buckle up folks, it should be a good ride.
The round one belting of the Bombers at home was followed 6 days later by a belting at the hands of the Eagles in Perth, and so the season progressed, never managed more than three consecutive wins in the regular season and even suffered three consecutive losses after our round 14 bye.
At no point was I confident, considering even, that we would be playing in the Grand Final right up until the siren went with us up by 4 points in the Prelim. As it turned out we didn’t really play the Grand Final, it would be more correct to say we attended. (Too soon?)
As a seemingly shellshocked group of 21 young men and Heater trudged off the ground and into a very sombre dressing room I found I was less devastated than expected, it could just be the sainter in me coming out but I don’t think so, I was so proud that we had got there against all odds, that I felt our fight had been getting to the game, winning it would have been awesome, but not winning it didn’t send me into despair, not by a long shot. Tim Taranto was our leading player in that game, a 21 year old kid who also laid 7 tackles, had 4 inside 50s and 4 rebound 50s! Seriously, the future is so bright we all gotta wear shades..
We lost Brett Delidio to retirement, unfortunately we never got to see him anywhere near his best, Dawson Simpson was a great clubman and will be missed.
After the exit interviews started the news directly impacting next year’s list started to come out.
Delists are rarely a source of glee and this year was no exception for us, losing (off field) livewire Dylan Buckley.
Then came the trades, one of my favourites, and seemingly of the squad’s favourite team mates was squeezed out as we watched Adam Tomlinson move to Melbourne where he will no doubt be a genuine asset. (Restricted free agent compensation – end of second round)
The next trade move was a pick swap with the Saints, out 12 and 18, in 6 and 59, this gave the saints better trade options for Hill and got us closer to a pick before Tom Green, win/win.
Then came the shock to no-one of Jonno being traded to the Hawks for a future fourth round pick (roughly equivalent to 1.5 packets of chips), I don’t have anything more to say on this one other than I genuinely wish the guy a brilliant future and the luck he will need to achieve it.
We then traded in a better than average ruck to give us the required bridge to being able to have Flynn/Briggs as our big men. Sam Jacobs was apparently excess to requirement at Adelaide and cost us a slightly lighter 1.3 packets of chips then we got for Jonno.
Aidan Bonar left for opportunity to join North Melbourne, hardly a new story for us and whilst he is a good player I don’t feel we have a net squad loss. Deal was Bonar and the actual Jonno pick for a future third.
The next deal ultimately may not have been required as the draft panned out, but it seems that rather simply trying to get ahead of a Green bid the club was targeting Ash, personally I think he is definitely gone by pick 6 so the move paid off. The trade was our pick 6 and a future first (18 most likely
) for pick 4.We then had two live draft swaps, one on each day and both with the Pies. The first one was our 60 for their 62 and 70, and the second saw us hand over Melbourne’s future 3rd for 51 and a future 4th.
Our draft haul was somewhat delightful.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Draft summary courtesy of the Roar, an excellent web based AFL news source
https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/11/30/2019-afl-draft-club-by-club-breakdown-and-review/
4. Lachie Ash (Murray Bushrangers)
10. Tom Green (GWS academy)
51. Jake Riccardi (Werribee VFL)
65. Thomas Hutchesson (SANFL)
Rookie draft
Redrafted Jake Stein, Tom Sheridan, Zach Sproule
This year’s Grand Finalists have once again found themselves at the pointy end of the draft, and look to have selected well.
Lachie ‘Dash’ Ash is a lightning-quick half-back who was exactly what they needed to add to their list given 2020 looks like being Heath Shaw’s last year.
Getting Green at pick 10 was an absolute steal, and means the club’s deficit for next year won’t be as big as they’d originally expected when they traded up from pick 4 to pick 6 to get in front of a possible Sydney bid.
They’ve traded out their 2020 first-round pick in order to do so, so are likely to be quieter draft players next year.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the Giants’ midfield over the next few years – Green was too good not to take, but is exactly the type of player they didn’t need, having taken three inside midfielders in the first-round last year.
His scope is such that he could be the best of them, but they can’t all play in the same team that already boasts Jacob Hopper, Harry Perryman, and Callan Ward, so other clubs will likely be watching closely to see if GWS can retain all that midfield talent.
I was surprised Riccardi was still on the board at pick 51, but he’s a super get for the Giants.
They don’t strictly need a key forward right now, but it doesn’t hurt to have one who can develop under Finlayson, Himmelberg, and Cameron, and pressure the latter two for a spot.
Hutchesson is a speculative selection, but the Giants wanted to round out their draft with someone who can play next year, and at 24 he fits that bill.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the back of the outs and ins and a reasonable optimism of getting more games out of Ward, Kelly, Whitfield, Coniglio, Langdon and Perryman at a minimum there is no doubt we enter 2020 a better team than we had for the bulk of 2019.
Our 2020 Fixture is below
Lets get out in droves and support the guys AT the games!!
2020 AFL Team
Team List:
A new generation of players will lead the GIANTS in 2020 with three new faces added to the leadership group under incoming captain Stephen Coniglio.
Reigning Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron, star forward Toby Greene and damaging wingman Lachie Whitfield have been elevated to the six-person leadership group and will take up official roles for the first time.
They join midfielders Josh Kelly and Matt De Boer, who will continue their leadership roles in the expanded group.
Unlike recent years, the leadership group will be without a designated vice-captain with each of the five players to share the responsibilities under Coniglio.
While no longer officially in the leadership group, long-term co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward will continue to provide support across the program after eight years in the top job.
GIANTS General Manager of Football Jason McCartney has welcomed the new additions.
“The whole playing group has been through a thorough process alongside our leadership consultant Cooper Cronk to settle on this group and we’re delighted to have Jeremy, Lachie and Toby join the leadership group for 2020,” said McCartney.
“All three players have been instrumental to the growth of the GIANTS in recent years and a spot in the official leadership group is well deserved.
“We’re very fortunate at the GIANTS to have some outstanding leaders and I’m really confident in the mix of players that will be supporting Stephen as on-field leaders.
“To have this group supported by Callan Ward and Phil Davis, who’ve led the club brilliantly since inception, has us in a really strong position for the upcoming season.”
The GIANTS open their 2020 season at GIANTS Stadium against Geelong on March 21 in the first-ever AFL/AFLW double-header for premiership points.
2020 GIANTS Leadership Group
Stephen Coniglio, 26, played 15 games in 2019 and has played 133 career games since being drafted with pick 2 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. 2019 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award recipient.
Josh Kelly, 24, played 18 games in 2019 to take his career tally to 118 games since being drafted with pick 2 in 2013. 2017 Kevin Sheedy Medallist.
Matt De Boer, 29, played 19 games in 2019; his third season as a GIANT. He has played 187 career games since his debut for Fremantle in 2009.
Toby Greene, 26, played 19 games in 2019 to take his career tally to 145 matches since being selected with pick 11 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. 2016 Kevin Sheedy Medallist.
Lachie Whitfield, 25, has played 133 career games including 19 in 2019. He was the number one draft pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft. 2018 Kevin Sheedy Medallist.
Jeremy Cameron, 26, played 24 games in 2019 to take his career total to 154. 2019 was a career best year with the left footer winning the Coleman Medal for his 76 goals. 2013 Kevin Sheedy Medallist.
Predicted Round 1 Team Ex “The Phantom” Herald Sun Link
B: Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Aidan Corr
HB: Heath Shaw, Sam Taylor, Zac Williams
C: Jye Caldwell, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Stephen Coniglio, Harry Himelberg, Bobby Hill
F: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson
1R: Sam Jacobs, Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto
INTER: Jacob Hopper, Brett Daniels, Matt de Boer, Harry Perryman
Personally I think XO, Ash, Mumford, Hately, Sheridan, Langdon & Kennedy are as likely to be in the team for long stints as some listed above.
Buckle up folks, it should be a good ride.
