Game Day JLT Community Series - Game 1, 2019: GWS Giants v Sydney (Opposition welcome)

[Giant Strides]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...ive-coverage/3b518d34d08530edd524d383627a22e0

Greater Western Sydney secures JLT Series win against Sydney, 81-59
Ben Horne, The Daily Telegraph
March 2, 2019 12:22am

GWS draft sensation Jye Caldwell announced himself as the new star of the west on Saturday night as the Giants showed why they can come out trumps on the Dylan Shiel trade. Former No.2 pick Tim Taranto made his AFL debut for the Giants straight off the bat in 2017 and Caldwell appears destined for his own meteoric rise after the 18-year-old shined (sic) in GWS’s strong 81-59 trial match win over Sydney at Blacktown. Caldwell kicked two goals and generally looked the part as he stormed into contention to slot straight into the Giants midfield as Shiel’s replacement for round one.

When the youngster kicked his first the Giants rallied around him in a rousing reception for one of the best raw talents to come through the GWS program.
Insiders were stunned that the Gold Coast didn’t take the powerful, hard-nosed boy from Bendigo with their three early picks, but the Giants’ pounced with the first-round pick they were handed as the key plank in their trade of Shiel to the Bombers. Caldwell spent most of last year on the sidelines following a horror run of injuries but it seems to have had little impact on his development as he troubled the Swans with his tenacity, athleticism and powerful kick – getting 14 touches on Saturday night.

The Giants dominated early with five unanswered goals in the first quarter, but Sydney made a surge back into the game midway through the third and at one stage closed the gap to just three points. However, GWS dismissed the challenge in the fourth with Daniel Lloyd kicking three goals and Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy Cameron and Taranto leading the way for the hosts. Taranto – the kid with the US-born father – was immense for the Giants with 33 disposals.

Giants assistant coach Matthew Nicks said Caldwell had put himself firmly in the frame to debut in round one. “He’s one of those guys who has already jumped on board. He was our first pick. He’s a super footballer,” said Nicks. “He will take a while to settle into speed of the game but that’s his second game in a row now. He played the practice match against Sydney last week and played really well in that. His inside work and body work (is excellent), for a young kid he puts his body on the line and players love that.”

ROAMING CAMERON
Senior stars Cameron and Coniglio were standouts for the Giants, with Cameron also spending time in the backline. Cameron had 23 disposals and assistant Nicks admits Cameron could get a roaming licence this season. “He’s a flexible player. He can play deep forward and be a target, but also get on the move,” said Nicks.

Backline specialist Zac Williams also spent time in the midfield in another sign of his versatility. Williams copped a knock to his ankle in the second quarter which ultimately limited his game time, but Nicks and Swans counterpart John Longmire both reported their sides appeared to come through the match unscathed.

P.S. The past tense of 'shine' is 'shone' not 'shined'. Do reporters even learn English at school these days? Yes, I know, showing my age!

 

[Giant Strides]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/li...s/news-story/5f2fadde01249d13c72b1e5099f56f11

GWS Giants defeat Sydney Swans in JLT Community Series: Zac Williams shows why he was so missed in 2018

• March 2, 2019 9:44pm
• MAX LAUGHTON@maxlaughton
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Zac Williams showed why he’s so valuable to GWS on Saturday night.

Some injuries hurt more than others. For the player, and for the team.

Zac Williams’ 2018 Achilles rupture was one of those. Last September, we saw the star defender prove how valuable he can be in a game against the Swans; he did it again on Saturday night in GWS’ JLT Community Series opener.

When the Giants were proclaimed as footy’s ‘Ferrari’, they had the speed of ball movement to match it; but they fell back to the pack in 2018, ranking ninth for chains between defensive half and forward 50 (per Champion Data). This is where Williams was so important for Leon Cameron’s side, along with Tom Scully - they were rated as two of the three most costly injuries in the AFL last season. So when Williams came back for the elimination final against the Swans, and had 20 kicks and almost 500 metres gained back in the position where he’s rated elite, it all started to make sense again.

On Saturday night, there he was, back at his best. Let’s look at just the first half. Yes, it was a Swans side playing slightly differently to usual - Colin O’Riordan had the most time on ground, for example - but Williams still produced 18 touches (15 kicks) at 94.4 per cent efficiency, with six rebound 50s and a massive 445 metres gained. There’s that drive. There’s that Ferrari revving its engine.

It’s not as if GWS had a bad player at halfback last year. In fact Lachie Whitfield earned an All-Australian nod. But you’d probably rather have him back starring on a wing or in the midfield, combining with Williams as the middle link in the chain, then onwards to Toby Greene or Jeremy Cameron. “What it (Williams’ return) can allow them to do ... is play a few more tricks with Lachie Whitfield,” Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos said on Fox Footy. [WTF - Paul Roos being vaguely complimentary towards GWS?] “You’ve got the real elite speed of Zac Williams that gets you out of defence, and it gives you more options with Whitfield in the midfield as well.”

One could argue then, given the flow-on impact of Williams’ absence on the middle of the ground, his absence was the most important one of 2018. Williams didn’t play much of the second half on Saturday night, and things did notably slow down; the Giants were hottest in the opening quarter, when he was at his best (14 touches). Expect that to be the case over 2019 as well - he’ll have fired if GWS is a flag contender come September.

 

[fridgeman]

My thoughts from the game:
Coniglio looks like he will carry on from last season which is great news
Tarantos development is continuing and he will be able to play full time mid with some spells forward
I liked Camerons role from last night although a couple of turnovers he will need to work on before the season starts. It may be an indication that they will play a second ruck in Flynn?
Williams adds so much coming out of the back half and teams will be very worried IMO
great game by Caldwell and he should get a chance next week to push for a rd 1 spot, it could be Lloyd v Daniels v Caldwell for a spot in rd 1
Deledio made it through the half which is a good sign and although I dont see him at 100% for rd 1 at 90% he is still good enough for a spot
A couple of good moments by Cumming which is good and I still see most of the season in the NEAFL for him
I could say the same about Flynn from what I saw but maybe a few games early on in the season to see how he goes and then also in the back half of the season and see how he has improved
Buntine might have played himself into the rd 1 22 but we will see him next week
Anyone with anything definite about Corr or will we need to wait till thursday when the team is named? I havent seen anything in the press

Not sure how many the Swans were missing but the mids dominated the first quarter and I can see Swans fans being worried although some good moments for Heeney and Blakey will encourage them

 

[kulak]

Finished watching the replay on Kayo and there’s lots to be excited about

The front line midfield will be as good as any in the league. Coniglio Kelly Taranto Ward.

Adam Kennedy gets better every year. I have in mind that pre injury he was mainly a lockdown player. Now he is a legit attacking threat from half back and uses the ball very well.

Sam Taylor is very good. Even though it’s just year two I think he has to play this year.

Heath Shaw looks much fresher than he did last year.

Ball movement looking much better. Still had a few of those hard-to-watch moments where a player had the ball at half back and seems to be waiting for something to happen which doesn’t happen. It was occasional rather than constant as last year. Don’t think the Giants need to be the best in the league at this, have enough weapons, but need at least this standard.

Defensive pressure great. A couple more running players and we are better at running tasks like chasing! Gee the “Giants are too precious to chase” narrative is annoying.

Swans hard to place. Still a few greats who are getting older in Franklin > Kennedy > Grundy. Heaps of kids, many of whom are hard workers rather than pure talents.

 

[Giant Strides]

Great analysis Kulak!

 

[Danny88]

Finished watching the replay on Kayo and there’s lots to be excited about

The front line midfield will be as good as any in the league. Coniglio Kelly Taranto Ward.

Adam Kennedy gets better every year. I have in mind that pre injury he was mainly a lockdown player. Now he is a legit attacking threat from half back and uses the ball very well.

Sam Taylor is very good. Even though it’s just year two I think he has to play this year.

Heath Shaw looks much fresher than he did last year.

Ball movement looking much better. Still had a few of those hard-to-watch moments where a player had the ball at half back and seems to be waiting for something to happen which doesn’t happen. It was occasional rather than constant as last year. Don’t think the Giants need to be the best in the league at this, have enough weapons, but need at least this standard.

Defensive pressure great. A couple more running players and we are better at running tasks like chasing! Gee the “Giants are too precious to chase” narrative is annoying.

Swans hard to place. Still a few greats who are getting older in Franklin > Kennedy > Grundy. Heaps of kids, many of whom are hard workers rather than pure talents.

That wasn't far off their best team. They only got back in the game when we started putting kids into the guts in the second. I think the swans will drop off alarmingly this year.