PC2011/12RP GWS Giants - One Giant leap for the AFL

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After his short stint with the AFL's newest club, Kevin Sheedy has stood down as Giants coach which leaves rookie coach Hayden Sumner in charge of the franchise club. Coming off a 2 win season in 2013, the Giants have named Sumner as their senior coach with Sheedy still offering a match day role to over see the development off the club.

Sumner, who guided Bendigo, has signed a two-year deal with the Giants, with an option for a third year.

Sumner says he realises it will be a tough road ahead steering the newest club on the block. We have a lot of 18-21 year old's in the side, but with the experience of some older players hopefully the load will come off a bit.
"I'm looking forward to what is going to be a huge challenge," he said.

"I've spoken to a number of players and they certainly haven't sugar coated it (it being the smashing's the club has taken over the past 2 years since it's existence."

Sumner is adamant that while his appointment does not suggest a long tenure, his time at the Giants will be about building for the future.

"These boys (Giants players) will know, over the next five to seven years, who their senior coaches will be," he said.


"It'll be me and then someone else and I think that's a huge plus for them."

Sumner's appointment is a massive coup for the Giants, who had a lot of candidates put their hand up for the role including Adam Simpson (who is now at West Coast), Leon Cameron, Brett Ratten and Mark Williams (who sensationally left the club to head to the Tigers after finding out the news)

Giants chairman Tony Shepherd says the club desperately wanted a coach from a winning culture to lay the platform for the next decade.


Sumner makes note of losing form
The Giants finished last on the ladder with only two wins to their name in 2013.

But Sumner says the manner of the club's many losses is a bigger concern than the sheer number.

"They're a two-win team and 56 per cent," he said.

"I think they're better than that, but the percentage is a bigger concern for me."

 

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GWS GIANTS
Incoming
Shane Mumford via Trade
Josh Hunt via Trade
Heath Shaw via Trade
Tom Boyd via National Draft
Josh Kelly via National Draft
Cameron McCarthy via National Draft
Rory Lobb via National Draft
Jed Lamb via Pre season Draft


Outgoing
Josh Bruce traded to St.Kilda
Taylor Adams traded to Collingwood
Dom Tyson traded to Melbourne
Sam Darley traded to Western Bulldogs
Kurt Aylett traded to Essendon
Shaun Edwards traded to Essendon
Chad Cornes retired
Dean Brogan retired
Sentanta O'hAilpin delisted
Bret Thornton delisted
Gerald Ugle delisted
Josh Growden delisted
Joe Redfern delisted





STRENGTHS: The Giants have an abundance of high-end draft picks, who have already begun to show signs of their enormous ability at AFL level. Jeremy Cameron is an All Australian forward at just 20 years of age and Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio and Dylan Shiel are young midfielders with talent to burn. Add number 1 draft pick Tom Boyd and Cameron McCarthy to the pairing of Jonathan Patton and Cameron up forward, as well as the nippy Devon Smith – at their feet – and there is a lot to like heading in to the future.

WEAKNESSES: With the youngest list in the competition, the Giants do not have the physicality to consistently compete with the strong-bodied premiership contenders. The club should gradually improve in 2014, but the reality is it's going to be tough slog. Despite adding some valuable experience including Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw and Josh Hunt, the Giants' young players are still learning what it takes to be competitive at AFL level. The Giants should get there, but it will take time.

 

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Round 1 vs Gold Coast @ Metricon Stadium


PREVIEW: Gold Coast vs GWS Giants
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Round 1 of the 2014 season kicks off with the 2 newest teams on the block facing off at Metricon Stadium. The Suns will be looking to continue off from their stellar 2013 season with a round 1 win against their baby opponents while the Giants will be looking to gain some credibility in the competition after only winning the 2 games last season. It should be a cracking contest with the Giants bringing in some experienced names during the off-season with the likes of Mumford, Shaw, and Hunt hopefully we see a more competitive Giants outfit in 2014. While the Suns have been touted as a finals team in 2014, led by Gary Ablett which coach Guy McKenna says will play more forward due to the emergence of the Suns midfield with the likes of OMeara, Swallow, Martin and Prestia they can allow Ablett to play more forward each week. Can the Suns win a premiership with Ablett as a forward?


WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday March 19 – 1:10pm AEST


LAST FIVE MATCHES
RD 23 2013, Gold Coast: 22.14 (146) d GWS Giants: 9.9 (63)
RD 5 2013, Gold Coast: 21.22 (148) d GWS Giants: 16.8 (104)
RD 20 2012, Gold Coast: 16.13 (109) d GWS Giants: 12.7 (79)
RD 7 2012, GWS Giants: 13.16 (94) d Gold Coast: 9.13 (67)




GWS Giants

B: Heath Shaw - Phil Davis - Adam Kennedy
HB: Sam Frost - Tim Mohr - Curtley Hampton
C: Rhys Palmer - Jacob Townsend - Will Hoskin-Elliott
HF: Jed Lamb - Jonathan Patton - Tom Scully
FF: Lachie Whitfield - Jeremy Cameron - Devon Smith
R: Shane Mumford - Callan Ward - Adam Treloar
INT: Dylan Shiel - Stephen Coniglio - Rory Lobb
SUB: Kristian Jaksch

NEW: Heath Shaw - Jed Lamb - Rory Lobb - Shane Mumford




Gold Coast Suns

B: Campbell Brown - Rory Thompson - Matthew Warnock
HB: Alex Sexton - Nathan Bock - Greg Broughton
C: Jack Martin - Gary Ablett - Kade Kolodjashni
HF: Dion Prestia - Charlie Dixon - Thomas Murphy
FF: Tom Nicholls - Sam Day - Jaeger OMeara
R: Zac Smith - Michael Rischitelli - David Swallow
INT: Aaron Hall - Harley Bennell - Jarad Harbrow
SUB: Trent McKenzie

NEW: Jack Martin - Kade Kolodjashnii

 

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Suns shine early to put top-heavy Giants to bed
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Gold Coast has won the battle of the expansion clubs with a 17-point win over Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

The Suns were in control for most of the day, building a four-goal lead early and cruising home on a hot Gold Coast afternoon to finish 18.7 (115) to 15.8 (98) winners.
The victory cements their spot as the number 1 expansion side in the business ahead of next Saturday’s game against the Power at Metricon Stadium.

Charlie Dixon kicked a career-high five goals as the Suns finished with eight different goal kickers, but the win was built on an emphatic midfield display.
After the Giants held the early ascendency at the clearances, the exciting Suns midfield took over.

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna was bubbling with excitement after the match about the contribution of his men in the middle. “I think we’re understanding the ability to consistently compete,” McKenna said.
“And given the options we’ve got – David Swallow, Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Presita, and then skipper Gary Ablett adds a touch to our midfield as well.
“We’ve certainly got some numbers to go through.”

Ablett again led from the front with a first-class performance.
Despite the tight tagging of Tom Scully for all four quarters, it was the Suns young brigade that stood up. First-gamer Kade Kolodjashnji finished with 31 possessions and 10 inside 50’s, while the outside run of Jarod Harbrow was something the Giants couldn’t keep up with, picking up a career-high 36 disposals and 6 rebound 50’s.

While Harbrow was at his brilliant self, he had plenty of mates, led by Michael Rischitelli (27), Gary Ablett (25) and Aaron Hall (24).

Giants coach Hayden Sumner said there were just too many holes to plug as the match wore on.
“It turned into a little bit of a ping pong and unfortunately we couldn’t stop it,” he said.
“They’ve got very good midfielders and they scored four to five goals from the centre bounce.
“You need to get the ball forward there to help your defence, if it’s going the other way at 100 miles an hour it’s difficult to stop.”

Jeremy Cameron kicked five goals in an engrossing battle with Nathan Bock. Jed Lamb (two goals) was solid as he switched ends of the ground.
Stephen Conigilio (29), Rhys Palmer (27) and Adam Treloar (25) were tireless in defeat for the Giants.

Some bad news on the day for the Giants though with Adam Treloar coming off the ground in the hands of the trainers which what looked like a serious knee injury, he had to be subbed out during that last quarter which we’ll know further information as he has scans on Monday.

Aaron Hall of the Gold Coast Suns celebrates a goal in front of 23, 750 in their win against the Giants - Picture: AFL MEDIA




GOLD COAST: 6.2 - 13.3 - 15.5 - 18.7 (115)
GWS GIANTS: 2.0 - 5.4 - 10.8 - 15.8 (98)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Dixon 5, Murphy 4, Day 3, Nicholls 2, Harbrow, Brown, Rischitelli, Hall
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 5, Lamb 2, Frost, Patton, Lobb, Coniglio, Ward, Palmer, Mumford, Hampton

BEST
Gold Coast: Murphy, Harbrow, Hall, Kolodjashnij, Rischitelli
Greater Western Sydney: Mumford, Cameron, Coniglio, Palmer, Ward

INJURIES
Gold Coast: NIL
Greater Western Sydney: Adam Treloar – Knee

Reports: Gold Coast: Dion Prestia charged with a tripping offence

Crowd: 23, 750 at Metricon Stadium

 

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Giant out of action for 4 months
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Giants midfielder Adam Treloar has been ruled out for 4 months after suffering a PCL injury in their round 1 loss to the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon. Treloar landed awkwardly in a tackling attempt to bring down Suns speedster Aaron Hall, when his knee buckled underneath him.

Treloar spoke to AFL.com.au about the moment it happened. “I knew pretty much right away something went wrong. There was a quick sharp pain ran through my knee and lower leg and I had to get the trainers to help me off the ground”.

The 21 year old looked good in the first game of the year, picking up 27 possessions before the injury occurred and he’ll be a big loss in the Giants midfield. Treloar has been put on the Giants long term injury list, but with the AFL rules, the Giants don’t have any rookies to replace him.

Adam Treloar comes to the bench on Saturday after tearing his PCL against the Gold Coast Suns

 

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Round 2 vs Richmond @ Eithad Stadium


PREVIEW: Richmond vs GWS Giants
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The Giants travel to Melbourne for the first time in 2014 taking on the Tigers at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Richmond had a good win in their round 1 encounter against arch rivals in Collingwood. The tigers ended up winning by 8 points in what was a cracking round 1 match. Dustin Martin showed his importance for the side with 29 possessions after being up at the GWS camp in the off season thinking about a trade. The Tigers had a lot of avenues to goal last weekend with Griffiths who booted 3, while captain Cotchin and Riewoldt finished with 2.

The Giants will be looking to take on one of the finalist sides of 2013. Cameron was good last weekend booting five goals, while Stephen Coniglio finished with 29 possessions against the Suns at Metricon Stadium.
The Giants have made 6 changes to the side which lost to the Suns last weekend with Giants coach Hayden Sumner saying that he would share around the work load with such a young playing group.


WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday March 26- 1:10pm AEST

LAST FIVE MATCHES
RD 22, 2013 Richmond: 25.13 (163) d GWS Giants: 6.6 (42)
RD 12, 2012 Richmond: 11.20 (86) d GWS Giants: 12.2 (74)




RICHMOND

B: Chris Newman - Alex Rance - Dylan Grimes
HB: Matt Dea - Troy Chaplin - Brandon Ellis
C: Daniel Jackson - Brett Deledio - Shane Edwards
HF: Aaron Edwards - Jack Riewoldt - Jake King
FF: Orren Stephenson - Ben Griffiths - Shaun Grigg
R: Ivan Maric - Trent Cotchin - Dustin Martin
INT: Ben Lennon - Bachar Houli - Matt Arnot
SUB: Chris Knights




GWS GIANTS

B: Phil Davis - Stephen Gilham - Heath Shaw
HB: Josh Hunt - Tim Mohr - James Stewart
C: Callan Ward - Adam Kennedy - Jacob Townsend
HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott - Jeremy Cameron - Tom Scully
FF: Rhys Palmer - Jonathan Patton - Jonathan Giles
R: Shane Mumford - Toby Greene - Lachie Whitfield
INT: Sam Frost - Stephen Coniglio - Liam Sumner
SUB: Mark Whiley

IN: Stephen Gilham, James Stewart, Jonathan Giles, Toby Greene, Liam Sumner, Mark Whiley
OUT: Curtley Hampton (omitted), Jed Lamb (omitted), Devon Smith (omitted), Adam Treloar (injured), Rory Lobb (omitted), Kristian Jaksch (omitted)