Greater Western Sydney are bracing themselves for a number of departures this summer after three players reportedly told the club they wish to leave during the post-season. Ruckman Jonathan Giles, defender Sam Frost and key position player Kristian Jaksch have all expressed their desire to leave GSW, and it now remains to be seen whether the club will accept all three requests.
Giles has been the most recent player to ask the club for a trade. The ruckman has fallen behind Shane Mumford in the pecking order and the 26-year-old struggled for opportunities throughout 2014, overlooked by the club for senior selection during the second half of the year. Despite being contracted to the club until the end of next season, GSW have reportedly been understanding of Giles’ stance and are eager to grant him the move he wants.
The former Central District player has been linked with a return to Port Adelaide, where Giles spent four seasons without playing a senior game, and Adelaide, with both clubs apparently monitoring the ruckman’s situation closely over the coming weeks. Despite his unsuccessful spell with the Power earlier in his career, Giles has revealed to sources close to him that he would be open to a return to South Australia. Clubs from Victoria have also shown an interest in the tall ruckman, however, and it looks as though Giles won’t be short of offers should he leave the Giants this post-season.
Giles made his AFL debut in the Giants’ inaugural AFL game in round one, 2012, finishing fifth in the club’s best and fairest count that season after averaging 14.3 possessions and 22.1 hit-outs a game. Giles followed that season up by coming in sixth-place finish in last year’s best and fairest award, in a season where he was an ever-present and proved himself a decent bet with bet365, averaging 10.5 possessions and 24.3 hit-outs a match in 2013 and kicking 14 goals.
The ruckman went on to become the first player to reach 50 games for the expansion club in round 8 of this season, but a game later Giles found himself out of the team in favour of Mumford and couldn’t win his place back despite producing a string of eye-catching performances in the NEAFL. While the Giants are open to the prospect of trading Giles, the ruckman has made it clear he would be willing to remain at the club until the end of his contract if a suitable replacement can’t be found.
Giles’ news comes on the back of the news that key position players Frost and Jaksch have both requested to be traded back to their home state of Victoria. General manager football Graeme Allan admitted it was a blow to lose two key position players at this stage of their careers, saying; “While we understand their decisions, we are disappointed to lose two highly talented key position players after spending considerable time developing them. We will now pursue what we consider to be fair and equitable trades for both players during the forthcoming trade period.”
(In partnership with Bet365)
