Preview Round 6 2023: GWS Giants vs Brisbane Lions

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Zac Baileys 100th game to - he was better on the weekend but still off his output we are accustomed to, hopefully hes milestone game spurs him on to get back to the Zac we know and love.
The fact that we have beaten both the Pies and Demons with Zac and Clugga both down on form means all goes well for the future and potential improvement of the team.
 
It's my turn to do one of these previews, and I have drawn this charcoal and orange straw, and so in joining a recent movement and being true to my authentic self, I won't be pretending that I know about GWS's formline, or likely selection certainties and mainstays, or how they appear to be going this year, or last year, or their current captain, or what greater western Sydney even was before today. Instead I'm going to rely on how I 'feel' about this match next weekend that is a Giants home match but is being held in Canberra for some reason that I am sure somebody has explained to me before.

On the face of it I'm fairly bullish on a QLD outfit's chances of succeeding in any venture or undertaking against an opposing outfit from anywhere West of Strathfield. Or East of Burwood. Or East of Darlinghurst. Or South of Albury. So the win is a straight up certainty on those grounds without any argument at all. But for the sake of the intellectual exercise I have decided to look at some of our field structures so that we can create filler material out of that.

For the last couple of weeks my reading of Facebook has told me that our backs have begun to tighten their grip on the collective collar of the competition, led by Andrews as pe usual but suddenly, ably, supported by that Herculean unit Paine and the surprisingly reliable Joyce. With the addition of a cranky McKenna and Starcevich, a reliably penetrative (careful now) Rich, the velvet shackles of Coleman (and also he can kick the footy too), and the potential return of the dour, cantankerous, assertive, crankypants Gardner, the some'st maligned defensive unit do have that chemistry, flow, and daddy vibes that we were waiting for this year. Not knowing a lot about the GWS front six, all I can say is that the Brissy defenders would most effectively match up against, say, a slow and petulant anchor key forward who doesn't work very hard, and possible also an overstretched CFH who sits in the 'solid footsoldier' category. Probably the only thing that could allow us to match better would be one of those niggly captain small forwards with an aggro reputation who would try to ruffle the feathers of aformentioned crankypantses. Anyway, I'm sure everybody will have a fun time.

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Twitter has been fairly reliable in keeping me up to date with how much more physical, hardworking and defensively minded our star-studded midfield has been 3 times out of 5, and also how Jow Biden has a few things going on right now? Anyway, the combination of Neale and Dunkley has really cranked into gear, and the occasional addition of Berry to that mix creates some much needed "* you and also the audacity that rode in on" to our midfield tone. On topf of this, Oscar's newfound realisation that he can simply reach up and grab the football, have a cup of tea and readjust his undies, before placing the footy on his boot and kicking it 80 meters has really done wonders for the mids' recovery rates. Furthermore, Ashcroft and Wilmott are such jets that even a slow-to-warm-up-to-the-point-of-notceable-absence-McCluggage's, uh, absence is barely noticeable.

I'm pretty sure that made sense. The pieces are all there.

I could imagine that were the Giants the type of midfield to want to win the hard contested ball, make like difficult for the opposition star mids at the coalface before finishing off their play with outside polish, skill and flair, the collective endeavour of the Lions inside and outside grunt will make for a wonderful and gentlemanly bloodbath. On a side note, apparently Coniglio and Whitfield are still lining up for the Giants. The last time I can clearly remember Coniglio playing was way back yonder when Daniel Merrett kicked 5 goals in a quarter, and even then Cogs looked like a 15 year veteran in the visible, non-metaphorical sense. Also Whitfield was still tossing up a career in psychopharmacology, or footy. Sliding doors, huh.

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Spending a heap of time with the ressies regulars has told me that our hot and cold and sometimes frustrating midfield has been hot and cold and, sometimes, a little bit frustrating. And also that the Chelmer chippie quality has been dipping, which is quite upsetting actually. Notwithstanding said shitty chippies, Joe and Eric have really brought a bit of intent in these last couple of weeks, and as rangey and ungainly and non-Newtonian as they appear to be, they've been getting s**t done, which is a real delight to watch. As is Charlie and Cam doing what they do best, and Bailey slowly but surely but slowly regaining his form. About the only thing I miss seeing is Linc flying comically high and somehow landing it, but I'll just have to make do with watching him sprint like a maniac in tireless forward pressure. A quick look at the GWS team announcement tells me that their backline is anchored by something called a Sam Taylor, and a poor boy named Buckley who looks a bit confused a lot of the time. That poor boy.

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Look, at the end of the day Football, in addition to the Lions, will be the real winner here. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to see a Demons/Collingwood style dismantling, even if it's just as simple a strategy as 'turn the pressure up to 11', which I honestly think is all that we are going to see next Saturday, and is all that will be needed. Then we can put all this silliness about football in Canberra and a 'greater western sydney football team' behind us. I'm sick of you guys trying to trick me.

Lions by 48 if Jekyl Lions show up.

Lions by the skin of their teeth, or a narrow loss if Hyde shows up.

As someone who’s watched a fair amount of Giants games for fantasy reasons I can provide some extra insight.

Tom Green will most likely be suspended later today for a dangerous tackle and will miss the game. He has been a pivotal part of their midfield this year, even earning a tag from Connor Nash in the second half on Sunday which helped nullify his impact. Him being out will be good for Neale and Dunkley as they will not have to compete with a large inside mid. My fantasy team does not appreciate it though.

Their tall forwards in Hogan and Himmelberg will probably be the greatest challenge as they have been in good form (especially Hogan). Hogan has been very proficient, taking many contested marks and if he licks straight will be a problem.

Other than that there aren’t many others that I think will pose a threat to tear the game apart. I think their wings are quite inexperienced and believe Wilmot and Berry will be able to outpace and out position them throughout the game.

Hope we do well.


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The fact that we have beaten both the Pies and Demons with Zac and Clugga both down on form means all goes well for the future and potential improvement of the team.
Will add Kiddy Coleman to that list.
Or did he not play against the Pies anyway?
 
Our only game at Manuka was round 18 last year at 1.45pm winning 99 to 59. Attendance 9,010
Brownlow votes- 3 McCluggage, 2 Mathieson, 1 Rayner

Fort (v Flynn) the sole ruck as Oscar out under HS protocols.

Going on last week's side the below players played that day but may/will not get a gig Saturday.
McStay (Pies), Robbo (retired), Lyons, Gardiner, Mathieson, Ah Chee, Answerth, Sharp

Players that played last week and missing from that GWS game.
McInerney, Dunkley, Berry, Ashcroft, Wilmot, Joyce, Rich, McKenna (Gunston managed).
 
Quoted Berrygood from other thread
"Reading the Vfl thread, Fletcher has had a cpl of very good games, I wonder how long it will be before he gets a shot. I'm not saying this week but if he strings another 3 or 4 big games together I'd like to see what he can offer."

Think he only had the 9 touches on Sat, but doing some very nice things when he has the ball. Hitting the scoreboard too.
Any potential call up may or may not🤔 be in discussion until approx r9 ish???
Just the 9 touches, I wasn't aware of his stats, was just going by the reviews in the Vfl thread. Brainofmorbious has it right then, let him feature more regular before the step up, although I was only suggesting a sub role for him. Good signs tho.
 
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I'm feeling a lot more confident about this weekend after the past two games. Looks like the changes to the main playing cohort and tweaks to the game plan are starting to connect better. I still see us losing more 'winnable' games but I feel we'll win comfortably.
 
Tom Green offered one week. Had 32 on the weekend although no coaches votes. Pretty handy player.
We have every player in the squad available unless someone picked something up on the weekend?
 

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Reckon Tom Green is their best player.

Massive out.
 
Horrible. Probably the smallest crowd at a Lions game I've attended excluding covid era.
10,195 for that GWS game being the worst for the year.
Next lowest for that year was 12,899 v Dockers.
We only won 3 games that year and Leppitch was shown the door.

Strange that GWS kicked the exact score in 2016 & 2017 being 22.14.146 also at The Gabba. Attendance that day 11,455
 
10,195 for that GWS game being the worst for the year.
Next lowest for that year was 12,899 v Dockers.
We only won 3 games that year and Leppitch was shown the door.

Strange that GWS kicked the exact score in 2016 & 2017 being 22.14.146 also at The Gabba. Attendance that day 11,455
There's some dark days right there.
 
I think Fagan and the coaching team are sitting around with a smile on their face, a great escape they would be thinking. We had a good pre-season, got ahead of ourselves, got the wobbles but seem to have steadied the ship. Wins over 2 contenders in the Pies and Melbourne but had the wobbles with Port and the Dogs. had some players out of form but that seems to have turned now, and have a really healthy list.

So let's rub our hands together, don't fall off the wagon, treat the next game as an opportunity to solidify where we are at. GWS wont play the non-defence defence that North did but we can still blow the game away with our connections along and across the field delivering quality ball to a speed out forward line. It's said every week but this is one game at a time, our goal is to have all players involved and not step backwards.

Lions by 24 points.
 
As someone who’s watched a fair amount of Giants games for fantasy reasons I can provide some extra insight.

Tom Green will most likely be suspended later today for a dangerous tackle and will miss the game. He has been a pivotal part of their midfield this year, even earning a tag from Connor Nash in the second half on Sunday which helped nullify his impact. Him being out will be good for Neale and Dunkley as they will not have to compete with a large inside mid. My fantasy team does not appreciate it though.

Their tall forwards in Hogan and Himmelberg will probably be the greatest challenge as they have been in good form (especially Hogan). Hogan has been very proficient, taking many contested marks and if he licks straight will be a problem.

Other than that there aren’t many others that I think will pose a threat to tear the game apart. I think their wings are quite inexperienced and believe Wilmot and Berry will be able to outpace and out position them throughout the game.

Hope we do well.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
Caught the last Q of their game against Hawkes and after Hogan took a good contested mark about five minutes left, one of the commentators mentioned how he had been clunking them, unlike Himmelberg who took an excellent contested mark about 2 minutes later and kicked the Giants in front, Hogan missed his relatively easy shot. If he has his kicking boots on could be a challenge. T. Green is a very good player and Starc will have his hands full but our midfield is just too good...or they should be, especially with Green suspended, and whilst Taylor is much better than the North tall defenders there is only really him and Haynes, so our forwards should have a good afternoon. Pretty confident with this game, that our percentage is boosted, providing there is not unseasonal snow
 
We're in a good place right now. Players are embracing a modified game plan and we've brought more energy to the group with several additions this year. Likewise the prima donna antics are ebbing away ,we have players in their right positions and they're playing for each other. The change in leadership roles could be working with Zorko free to focus solely on his footy , Andrews back in form and getting more big man help , and Neale playing within himself but with more authority and assurity no doubt relieved that Dunkley has his back. Players like Rayner , McCluggage and Bailey have the potential to become A Graders and have yet to really hit their straps. Miraculously the list is injury free.

It's a mistake to get ahead of yourself in footy but we have the opportunity now to establish ourselves as a genuine power over the next few weeks. We're in the best shape list wise we've been for a long time .

I don't think we'll ever get a better chance than the next year or two. We should win this game comfortably.
 
We're in a good place right now. Players are embracing a modified game plan and we've brought more energy to the group with several additions this year. Likewise the prima donna antics are ebbing away ,we have players in their right positions and they're playing for each other. The change in leadership roles could be working with Zorko free to focus solely on his footy , Andrews back in form and getting more big man help , and Neale playing within himself but with more authority and assurity no doubt relieved that Dunkley has his back. Players like Rayner , McCluggage and Bailey have the potential to become A Graders and have yet to really hit their straps. Miraculously the list is injury free.

It's a mistake to get ahead of yourself in footy but we have the opportunity now to establish ourselves as a genuine power over the next few weeks. We're in the best shape list wise we've been for a long time .

I don't think we'll ever get a better chance than the next year or two. We should win this game comfortably.
Yes, the next year or 2 we are at high noon as far as a flag window is concerned IMO, while we do have weaknesses there is no such thing as the perfect footy side/list, you just have to have a little luck re injuries in September.

I also think we can extend that flag window with astute list management, the hardest guy to replace IMO is going to be Zorko, the elite level energy he brings to the team is stupendous, he has been very good this year so far, if he gets to the end of 2023 in good health I would definitely give him another year... however I do think he would retire if we won the flag.
 
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