Let’s face it. Outside of AFL House most footy fans don’t particularly like the Giants.
To Melbourne, St Kilda, Richmond or Fremantle fans, who have endured decades of despair and/or close calls with premiership glory, the prospect of a GWS flag on the back of massive draft concessions and AFL handouts must feel a bit unfair.
But something has changed this year for the competition’s newest club. With one of the worst injury runs in recent footy history, they’re having to really earn their success.
At its worst a few weeks ago, the Giants had just 26 fit players to choose from. Their star-studded injury list has included Stephen Coniglio, Devon Smith, Rory Lobbe, Adam Kennedy, Jacob Hopper, Ryan Griffin, Nick Haynes and Tendai Mzungu. Gun recruit Brett Deledio hasn’t been seen yet, and in all likelihood won’t take the field at all in 2017.
Despite this wretched run, the Giants are equal first on the ladder with a record of 8-3 and a percentage of 116%.
Their only blemishes have been away from home against Adelaide, St Kilda and Carlton. In all three cases the Giants would enter favourites in a rematch, particularly if they were at home with a more complete list to choose from.
Josh Kelly has been the obvious standout on field. The former number two draft pick has soared into the elite category of midfielders this season and suddenly offers of $1 million a season for nine years from rival clubs look a bit stingy. Other positives have been the running machine Tom Scully, Dylan Shiel and Zac Williams off half-back.
The Giants may not be every footy fan’s favourite club and a fair case can be mounted that they have been handed too much by the AFL. But if this team with this injury list can record their first premiership this season, it will have been truly earned.
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