VFL GWS VFL 2025 - Wildcard Final vs Richmond, Sat 23 August

[Giant Strides]

Coaches' votes from the last game against Cats:

Geelong Cats 11.9 (75) def by GWS Giants 16.11 (107)
10 Wade Derksen (GWS)
6 Max Gruzewski (GWS)
5 Marc Sheather (GWS)
4 Jack Ough (GWS)
3 George Stevens (GEEL)
2 Patrick Retschko (GEEL)

And the progress tally:

LEADERBOARD​

42 Jacob Dawson

45

Jacob Dawson

Age

26

Ht

182cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.4

4star

K

8.3

3star

HB

8.1

5star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

15.0

4star

K

5.8

3star

HB

9.2

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

4star

(Southport Sharks)
38 Brayden Fiorini

8

Brayden Fiorini

Age

28

Ht

187cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.9

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

9.1

5star

M

4.7

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

2.9

4star

D

16.3

4star

K

11.0

4star

HB

5.3

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.7

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

21.2

5star

K

10.2

4star

HB

11.0

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

4.2

5star

CL

3.2

5star

(Gold Coast Suns)
30 Kane McAuliffe (Richmond)
28 Dom Brew (Werribee)
28 Henry Hustwaite (Box Hill Hawks)
25 Max Gruzewski (GWS Giants)
25 Joel Trudgeon (Coburg)
23 Flynn Gentile (Coburg)
23 Deven Robertson

40

Deven Robertson

Age

24

Ht

185cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.0

2star

K

3.0

1star

HB

4.0

3star

M

0.0

1star

T

3.0

5star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

4.0

3star

M

0.0

1star

T

3.0

4star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.0

1star

HB

4.0

3star

M

0.0

1star

T

3.0

5star

CL

0.0

1star

(Brisbane Lions)
22 Jackson Voss (Frankston)

The rebel Coaches MVP Award is proudly supported by rebel.

rebel Coaches MVP Award – Smithy’s VFL Round 7

Sharks star returns to lead; Bombers young gun makes statement; Hawks tall puts hand up; Blues veteran continues to push case

www.afl.com.au

 

[Giant Strides]

One Change For Collingwood Clash

The son of a former AFL star will play his first game for the GIANTS’ VFL side this weekend.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

VFL Round 8

Magpies v GIANTS
Saturday, May 17 at 10:05am
Victoria Park, Melbourne | Wurundjeri Country

B: Leek Aleer, Wade Derksen, Conor Stone
HB: Harper Montgomery, Harry Oliver, James Leake
C: Josh Fahey, Marc Sheather, Ryan Angwin
HF: Ollie Hannaford, Phoenix Gothard, James Lugsdin
FF: Lachlan Keeffe

25

Lachlan Keeffe

Age

36

Ht

204cm

Wt

101kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.5

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

3.7

3star

CL

0.2

2star

HO

1.4

4star

D

10.0

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

4.0

3star

CL

0.0

1star

HO

0.0

1star

D

8.4

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.6

3star

CL

0.2

2star

HO

0.0

1star

, Nathan Wardius, Max Gruzewski
RR: Nick Madden, Louie Montgomery, Harry Rowston

Interchange: Izaac Hughes, Sam McMeeken, Noah Bradshaw, Billy McGee Galimberti, Ryan Hebron

In: Noah Bradshaw (club debut)
Out: Jack Ough (injured)

The GIANTS have made just one change to their undefeated VFL side for Saturday’s clash with Collingwood, with midfielder Noah Bradshaw coming in to the team for his first game in orange and charcoal.

Bradshaw, the son of former Lion and Swan Daniel Bradshaw

Daniel Bradshaw

Age

47

Ht

190cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

7.3

3star

HB

2.4

2star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.0

3star

G

2.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

3.6

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

G

2.0

5star

, joined the club’s VFL program in the summer following two seasons of senior football for Wodonga in the Ovens and Murray Football League, where the 22-year-old was named the Bulldogs’ Most Consistent Player in 2024.

Prior to that Bradshaw played some VFL football for Saturday’s opponent, Collingwood, in 2022, while also dominating in the midfield in the Coates Talent League where he averaged 25 touches per game for the Murray Bushrangers. Bradshaw’s GIANTS debut comes after being signed earlier this year from the club’s new Albury VFL Hub which was established to provide pathways for talented players in the region to train, develop, and potentially play for the GIANTS’ VFL side.

Making way for Bradshaw in Saturday’s side is young gun Jack Ough who will miss through injury.

 

[Orangeutan]

I only watched the highlights and it was a tough, contested game until the rain started. 0 total goals in the final 40 mins.
5.15 shows enough chances in an 11 point loss. Wardius is 1 goal, 8 behinds in the last 2 games.

GIANTS Finally Fall As Unbeaten VFL Streak Comes To An End

The GIANTS suffered their first VFL loss of the season in a tough and tight contest with Collingwood in Melbourne on Saturday.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

There were plenty of strong contributors for the GIANTS despite the tough loss, with Nick Madden (25 disposals, 34 hit-outs, seven marks, seven clearances) starring on his 21st birthday alongside James Leake (39 disposals, five inside 50s, four clearances, three tackles), and untried draftee Harry Oliver (29 disposals, seven marks) who were both superb.

VFL-listed duo Marc Sheather (39 disposals, five inside 50s, six clearances) and Louie Montgomery (28 disposals, six tackles, five clearances) also continued their stellar form with brilliant performances through the middle of the ground, while AFL trio Ryan Angwin (21 disposals), Harry Rowston (30 disposals, four tackles, seven clearances), and Conor Stone (21 disposals, six marks, four tackles) were all strong throughout as they push for AFL selection.

Josh Fahey (18 disposals, a goal), Leek Aleer (15 disposals, nine intercept possessions), and Wade Derksen (17 disposals, 11 marks) also played their roles well, while Nathan Wardius (14 disposals, four marks, 1.4) loomed dangerous all day to be the GIANTS’ most impactful forward despite being wasteful in front of goal.

 

[Giant Strides]

GWS GIANTS vs PORT MELBOURNE​

Sunday 25 May, 11:00am, Albury Sports Ground

GWS GIANTS
B: J. McQuade (65), W. Derksen (45), C. Stone (18)
HB: H. Montgomery (50), J. Fahey (34), J. Leake (30)
C: R. Angwin (9), M. Sheather (48), P. Lewis-Smith (61)
HF: O. Hannaford (13), J. Delana (38), P. Gothard (11)
F: L. Keeffe (25), N. Wardius (42), M. Gruzewski (35)
R: N. Madden (41), J. Ough (28), L. Montgomery (52)
INT: J. Butson (66), S. McMeeken (62), M. Harms (56), B. McGee Galimberti (49), R. Hebron (47)
23rd Player: S. McMeeken (62)
EMG: J. Lugsdin (53), L. McCarthy (63), W. Shaw (57), H. Birks (55)

IN: J. Butson, J. Delana, M. Harms, P. Lewis-Smith, J. McQuade, J. Ough
OUT: L. Aleer, H. Rowston (AFL), I. Hughes (injured), H. Oliver (managed), N. Bradshaw, J. Lugsdin (omitted)

PORT MELBOURNE
B: F. Rosman (3), J. Johnston (20), J. Van Es (6)
HB: T. Wanganeen (2), T. Graham (28), T. Hird (4)
C: H. Hooper (37), D. Heppell (59), R. Polkinghorne (24)
HF: D. Lloyd (44), J. Miller (23), S. Philp (9)
F: A. Manton (16), T. Watson (11), P. Farrant (22)
R: A. Kuol Mun (27), C. Lazzaro (1), H. Stubbings (31)
INT: K. Dimattina (40), D. Bedendo (12), J. Green (14), C. Clarke (52), O. Mulady (5)
EMG: T. Hofert (10), M. Rudd (36), J. Sparkman (43)

IN: C. Clarke, K. Dimattina, P. Farrant, J. Johnston
OUT: L. Alessio (concussion), T. Highmore (shoulder), N. Cahill, W. Martyn (omitted)

Head-to-Head: GWS Giants 4-0; At Albury Sports Ground: Never Met; Streak: GWS Giants 4; Last time: GWS Giants 9.17 (71) def Port Melbourne 8.9 (57) – Round 12, 2024, Blacktown International Sports Park

 

[Drummond]

With his joint team leading 7th disposal, Ough kicks a goal.

The Giants nailed last years draft, wow. Delana a lot more involved now too.

 

[Drummond]

Fahey is terrible. Shocking turnover, goal. After Giants had all the momentum. Just totally unnecessary.

 

[Giant Pete]

Fahey is terrible. Shocking turnover, goal. After Giants had all the momentum. Just totally unnecessary.

He’s gone backwards.
This is a high quality match.

 

[Orangeutan]

Rowston is backing up today after limited AFL minutes. Giants had a small lead and coughed it up again.

 

[Giant Strides]

Unfortunately, the VFL team suffered their 2nd loss in a row, going down to Port Melbourne 16.14.110 to 12.12.84. Scores were level at half time, but Port got a run of goals in the third quarter and weren't headed from there.

 

[Orangeutan]

At last, we get a look at Logan Smith. Hannaford's bad luck with injury continues and he's out 8-12 weeks.
Gothard out "managed".

Draftee And Academy Young Gun Headline VFL Inclusions

The GIANTS’ VFL side has made six changes to take on Richmond this weekend, with a draftee and an exciting Academy product headlining the inclusions.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

 

[Giant Strides]

GIANTS v Tigers
Saturday, June 1 at 12:30pm
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country

B: Ryan Hebron, Wade Derksen, Conor Stone
HB: Jacob Wehr, Harry Oliver, James Leake
C: Will Shaw, Harry Rowston, Josh Fahey
HF: Nathan Wardius, Josaia Delana, Billy McGee Galimberti
FF: Lachlan Keeffe

25

Lachlan Keeffe

Age

36

Ht

204cm

Wt

101kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.5

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

3.7

3star

CL

0.2

2star

HO

1.4

4star

D

10.0

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

4.0

3star

CL

0.0

1star

HO

0.0

1star

D

8.4

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.6

3star

CL

0.2

2star

HO

0.0

1star

, Matt Harms, Max Gruzewski
RR: Nick Madden, Ryan Angwin, Jack Ough

Interchange: Louie Montgomery, James Lugsdin, Logan Smith, Ethan Matthews, Harper Montgomery

In: Jacob Wehr, Harry Oliver, Will Shaw, James Lugsdin, Logan Smith, Ethan Matthews (VFL debut)

Out: Marc Sheather, Jace McQuade, Perry Lewis-Smith, Sam McMeeken, Ollie Hannaford, Phoenix Gothard

 

[GWS Goose]

At last, we get a look at Logan Smith. Hannaford's bad luck with injury continues and he's out 8-12 weeks.
Gothard out "managed".

Draftee And Academy Young Gun Headline VFL Inclusions

The GIANTS’ VFL side has made six changes to take on Richmond this weekend, with a draftee and an exciting Academy product headlining the inclusions.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

Gothard has a very mild abductor, taking the cautionary route.

Logan Smith looks a lot bigger than last time I saw him.

He has gone from looking like a big boy to Man Mountain.

 

[Jack Richards]

Hows Wardius progressing? Big improver?

 

[GWS Goose]

Hows Wardius progressing? Big improver?

Absolutely.
Super dangerous in attack with loads of talent.
Apparently they are schooling him in the technical side of defence to be AFL ready.
Very bullish on him long term.

 

[GWS Goose]

How did we go in the VFL today

 

[MelbourneGWS]

How did we go in the VFL today

Unfortunately we lost 80-92

VFL Tigers tame Giants in enemy territory

The VFL Tigers defeated GWS by 12 points on Saturday afternoon at ENGIE Stadium.

www.richmondfc.com.au

 

[Orangeutan]

We lost our 3rd in a row, 80-92 but not really that close as we fell away in the 2nd and 3rd.
Some nice performances. however.
Wardius got another 3.

 

[GWS Goose]

We lost our 3rd in a row, 80-92 but not really that close as we fell away in the 2nd and 3rd.
Some nice performances. however.
Wardius got another 3.
View attachment 2330622

Based on numbers alone, I'd love to see Rowsten come in

 

[Giant Strides]

Madden continues to do well. When do we give him a run in the 1s, given Briggs is playing poorly?

 

[Orangeutan]

Madden continues to do well. When do we give him a run in the 1s, given Briggs is playing poorly?

It would be tempting to debut him before the bye to give Briggs some recovery time.

 

[GWS Goose]

It would be tempting to debut him before the bye to give Briggs some recovery time.

Apparently Briggs nursing an ankle, a week off into the bye might be the tonic

 

[MelbourneGWS]

The remaining VFL fixtures have just been released. Our VFL team will have curtain raisers before the AFL Geelong and Sydney home games.

Blockbuster Curtain Raisers Headline GIANTS’ VFL Fixture

The GIANTS’ VFL side will feature in a pair of huge AFL curtain raisers in the back-half of the season.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

 

[Giant Strides]

VFL team need to recapture their sparkle

TEAMS: Smithy’s VFL Round 11

Triple-premiership forward returns for Hawks; Lions and Suns name Academy products; Irish recruit to debut for Cats; Swans defender to play first game of season

www.afl.com.au

Marc Sheather returns from suspension for the GWS Giants home clash with the Northern Bullants, who have named Jaden Collins for his first VFL game since 2022.

GWS GIANTS vs NORTHERN BULLANTS​

Saturday 7 June, 11:00am, Blacktown International Sports Park

GWS GIANTS
B: R. Hebron (47), W. Derksen (45), C. Stone (18)
HB: J. Fahey (34), H. Oliver (19), J. Leake (30)
C: P. Lewis-Smith (61), H. Rowston (24), W. Shaw (57)
HF: B. McGee Galimberti (49), J. Delana (38), J. Lugsdin (53)
F: L. Keeffe (25), N. Wardius (42), M. Gruzewski (35)
R: L. Smith (36), R. Angwin (9), M. Sheather (48)
INT: L. Montgomery (52), M. Harms (56), H. Birks (55), E. Matthews (59), H. Montgomery (50)
23rd Player: E. Matthews (59)
EMG: I. Hughes (54), N. Irvine (60), T. McCaffrey (58), J. McQuade (66), M. Blow (70)

IN: H. Birks, M. Sheather
OUT: N. Madden (AFL), J. Ough (shoulder)
NEW: Hugo Birks, 21, 192cm, Sydney Swans VFL/UNSW-ES Bulldogs

NORTHERN BULLANTS
B: W. Madden (27), R. Greene (23), E. Mantas (28)
HB: J. Hamilton (15), D. Andrews (19), L. Coghlan (22)
C: H. Flynn (13), J. Velissaris (3), L. Mackie (4)
HF: M. Goodman (16), K. Schreiber (2), C. Leeflang (38)
F: H. Andronaco (35), C. Franks (5), C. Scerri (30)
R: J. Jorgensen (1), L. Taylor (39), P. Fairlie (45)
INT: J. Collins (14), R. Barry (46), H. Grace (26), K. Emery (10), B. Sulzberger (21)
EMG: A. Naim, S. Donegan, A. Hilton

IN: R. Barry, J. Collins, K. Emery
OUT: S. Donegan, A. Naim, J. Salmon (omitted)

Head-to-head: GWS Giants 2-0; At Genis Steel Oval: GWS Giants 2-0; Streak: GWS Giants 2; Last time: Northern Bullants 8.7 (55) def by GWS Giants 20.11 (131) – Round 21, 2023, Genis Steel Oval

 

[Drummond]

I really hope we find some AFL opportunities for Wardius soon. The kid is really good.

 

[GWS Goose]

How we going