Analysis 2025 GWS Giants - Predicted best 22, breakout player(s), general player/team discussion & questions

[sydney_gws]

Nice. With McMullin and Thomas out I'm probably looking to see if Gothard can step up and play that role rather than playing Keeffe.
Stringer we will have to see how his preseason goes...I'm quietly optimistic

I think we need to introduce Jake to Soul Origin, Subway rather than KFC, MCDonalds.
I just would worry without his family, gets a bit boring/ depressing hence food becomes an outlet. I wonder if we will see things like Jake going back to Melbourne midweek sometimes.

 

[Colonial]

I think we need to introduce Jake to Soul Origin, Subway rather than KFC, MCDonalds.
I just would worry without his family, gets a bit boring/ depressing hence food becomes an outlet. I wonder if we will see things like Jake going back to Melbourne midweek sometimes.

Red Rooster. A Western Sydney staple.

 

[Giant Strides]

I think we need to introduce Jake to Soul Origin, Subway rather than KFC, MCDonalds.
I just would worry without his family, gets a bit boring/ depressing hence food becomes an outlet. I wonder if we will see things like Jake going back to Melbourne midweek sometimes.

I understood from the reporting that his current family were going to relocate to Sydney, while his two children and former wife remain in Melbourne.

 

[Giant Strides]

B- H.Himmleberg J.Buckley C.Idun
HB- L.Whitfield S.Taylor L.Ash
C- X.O’Hallaran T.Green J.Kelly
HF- B.Daniels J.Riccardi T.Greene
F- D.Jones J.Hogan J.Stringer
FOLL- K.Briggs S.Coniglio F.Callaghan
I/C- T.Bedford, A.Cadman, H.Thomas, C.Ward, C.Stone

Emerg- C.Brown, L.Aleer, J.Leake, F.Fahey, N.Madden

I can't see that we'd play 4 tall forwards in Hogan, Cadman, Riccardi & Stringer.

I would say that our best team for 2024 had 19 or 20 guys who were fairly much "locks", and a couple of positions/players that were debatable (for various reasons).

Forwards: Hogan, Cadman, Riccardi (although replaced by Keeffe in finals, still my best 22), Greene, Daniels, Jones & ...

... that's the first debatable spot: there are arguments for any of: Brown, McMullen, Thomas or Bedford.

Defender: Taylor, Buckley, Himmelberg, Idun, Whitfield, Ash & Perryman (now vacated).

Midfield: Briggs, Green, Coniglio, Kelly, Callaghan, Ward ... and 2 of Bedford (if not counted as a forward), Peatling, Cumming (spent most of the year injured), O'Halloran.

So, straightforward, I'd expect Stringer to come in for Riccardi, Stone for Perryman. That doesn't change any of the debatable positions.

If we're struggling to find mids, especially with Peatling now gone, then Bedford might come in more permanently as a defensive mid, opening up a spot as small forward for several players to vie for. Gothard will join Brown, McMullen & Thomas in that jostle.

The second wing spot is open too, who gets it will depend on how Kingers plans to use the role: traditional winger, or more as another inside/outside mid. So those two spots are dependent on roles and the balance of the side, but Fonti, Fahey, Bedford, Leake, O'Halloran, Rowsten, Angwin and the new draftees would all come into play as options (depending on who we select at ND). I'd also opine that Jones could be thrown into an option to play wing (and I do expect Binga to run though the centre bounce more often in 2025 too).

So, I would see it as:

F: Jones Hogan Stringer
HF: Greene Cadman Daniels
C: Kelly Bedford Callaghan
HB: Whitfield Taylor Ash
B: Himmelberg Buckley Idun
R: Briggs Green Coniglio
INT: small forward, Ward, midfielder, Stone

small forward options = McMullen, Thomas, Brown, Gothard

Midfielder options = Leake, O'Halloran, Rowsten, Fonti, Fahey, Angwin, draftee such as Lindsay/Hannaford

 

[Orange crush]

I can't see that we'd play 4 tall forwards in Hogan, Cadman, Riccardi & Stringer.

I would say that our best team for 2024 had 19 or 20 guys who were fairly much "locks", and a couple of positions/players that were debatable (for various reasons).

Forwards: Hogan, Cadman, Riccardi (although replaced by Keeffe in finals, still my best 22), Greene, Daniels, Jones & ...

... that's the first debatable spot: there are arguments for any of: Brown, McMullen, Thomas or Bedford.

Defender: Taylor, Buckley, Himmelberg, Idun, Whitfield, Ash & Perryman (now vacated).

Midfield: Briggs, Green, Coniglio, Kelly, Callaghan, Ward ... and 2 of Bedford (if not counted as a forward), Peatling, Cumming (spent most of the year injured), O'Halloran.

So, straightforward, I'd expect Stringer to come in for Riccardi, Stone for Perryman. That doesn't change any of the debatable positions.

If we're struggling to find mids, especially with Peatling now gone, then Bedford might come in more permanently as a defensive mid, opening up a spot as small forward for several players to vie for. Gothard will join Brown, McMullen & Thomas in that jostle.

The second wing spot is open too, who gets it will depend on how Kingers plans to use the role: traditional winger, or more as another inside/outside mid. So those two spots are dependent on roles and the balance of the side, but Fonti, Fahey, Bedford, Leake, O'Halloran, Rowsten, Angwin and the new draftees would all come into play as options (depending on who we select at ND). I'd also opine that Jones could be thrown into an option to play wing (and I do expect Binga to run though the centre bounce more often in 2025 too).

So, I would see it as:

F: Jones Hogan Stringer
HF: Greene Cadman Daniels
C: Kelly Bedford Callaghan
HB: Whitfield Taylor Ash
B: Himmelberg Buckley Idun
R: Briggs Green Coniglio
INT: small forward, Ward, midfielder, Stone

small forward options = McMullen, Thomas, Brown, Gothard

Midfielder options = Leake, O'Halloran, Rowsten, Fonti, Fahey, Angwin, draftee such as Lindsay/Hannaford

Another preseason and Cads chopping out will be more effective

 

[Giant Strides]

Another preseason and Cads chopping out will be more effective

I was quite pleased with Cadman's progress in 2024. He hit a flat spot during the year, but that's pretty common with young players ... they can't remain consistent throughout a whole season. I thought he did better when handed the second ruck duties, so happy enough to see how he handles that in 2025. Again, if we try to have him do it for the whole season, he might run out of puff and need a rest, but I'll accept that.

If we can stay relatively injury-free in 2025, we haven't actually lost much from this year in terms of the best 22, it's primarily in depth.

The options for that final small/medium forward spot were all there this year, except for Phoenix Gothard who really didn't come into reckoning, but will next year.

There were arguments that we weren't getting enough out of Pez, so if Conor Stone can grab that opportunity, we might actually improve in the backline. But there's every chance that we'll degrade a little due to the lesser experience there.

The midfield is our biggest issue, hence why I was hoping for an experienced clearance midfielder to be added ... as it is, we're hoping for Leake to come on, and probably Rowsten too. XOH will remain in the mix, but I doubt he can fix all of his flaws at this stage, so will remain IMHO just on the fringe of best 22.

 

[dlanod]

Red Rooster. A Western Sydney staple.

El Jannah.

 

[sydney_gws]

Another preseason and Cads chopping out will be more effective

I thought his ruck chop out was OK, at least he tried. I would like to see Himmelberg or Aleer do this. Maybe even stringer ( a wide body) have a bit of a go.

 

[GWS Goose]

I was quite pleased with Cadman's progress in 2024. He hit a flat spot during the year, but that's pretty common with young players ... they can't remain consistent throughout a whole season. I thought he did better when handed the second ruck duties, so happy enough to see how he handles that in 2025. Again, if we try to have him do it for the whole season, he might run out of puff and need a rest, but I'll accept that.

If we can stay relatively injury-free in 2025, we haven't actually lost much from this year in terms of the best 22, it's primarily in depth.

The options for that final small/medium forward spot were all there this year, except for Phoenix Gothard who really didn't come into reckoning, but will next year.

There were arguments that we weren't getting enough out of Pez, so if Conor Stone can grab that opportunity, we might actually improve in the backline. But there's every chance that we'll degrade a little due to the lesser experience there.

The midfield is our biggest issue, hence why I was hoping for an experienced clearance midfielder to be added ... as it is, we're hoping for Leake to come on, and probably Rowsten too. XOH will remain in the mix, but I doubt he can fix all of his flaws at this stage, so will remain IMHO just on the fringe of best 22.

im not even sure we've lost that much in depth.
A lot of the players on the edge will be a year older with another pre-season and be better than those just outside the squad this year.

 

[Orange crush]

I thought his ruck chop out was OK, at least he tried. I would like to see Himmelberg or Aleer do this. Maybe even stringer ( a wide body) have a bit of a go.

Stringer?

 

[sydney_gws]

Stringer?

I meant in forward 50 like Hawkins. Probably not good idea. Very occasionally if we don't want to risk Hogan, Cadman doing it.

 

[Giant Pete]

Daniels needs to roll through the midfield more often.

 

[Adam Giant]

With another pre-season under his belt Cadman will be 10% fitter, stronger and certainly more capable of playing ruck-chop out. I thought he looked great doing that role when given the chance this year and we won't lose much forward because Hogan, Greene and Stringer (maybe Brown too) will still be there as offensive threats.

We should only be playing Riccardi and Keeffe in 2025 if we have injuries.

 

[Orange crush]

With another pre-season under his belt Cadman will be 10% fitter, stronger and certainly more capable of playing ruck-chop out. I thought he looked great doing that role when given the chance this year and we won't lose much forward because Hogan, Greene and Stringer (maybe Brown too) will still be there as offensive threats.

We should only be playing Riccardi and Keeffe in 2025 if we have injuries.

I think there will be some rotation of cads, ricca and Jake …: want to keep them fresh

 

[Giant Strides]

I think there will be some rotation of cads, ricca and Jake …: want to keep them fresh

While I agree to an extent, I think it would be quite minor as any planned rotation.

 

[Orange crush]

While I agree to an extent, I think it would be quite minor as any planned rotation.

I’m thinking a couple of games nothing over the top

 

[Battlepants]

With another pre-season under his belt Cadman will be 10% fitter, stronger and certainly more capable of playing ruck-chop out. I thought he looked great doing that role when given the chance this year and we won't lose much forward because Hogan, Greene and Stringer (maybe Brown too) will still be there as offensive threats.

We should only be playing Riccardi and Keeffe in 2025 if we have injuries.

I really hope Brown can regain his form from the start of last season.

I can foresee a forward line of Hogan, Cadman Stringer and Brown working really well. Stringer is 192cm (a lot taller than I thought he was) and we already know Brown is a good mark and can play a lot taller then his height would suggest. A forward line consisting of all those plus TFG contains a lot of aerial threats while retaining a lot of speed on the ground.

Really no need to bring in Ricca or Keeffe except as injury depth.

 

[PaythePerryman]

I really hope Brown can regain his form from the start of last season.

I can foresee a forward line of Hogan, Cadman Stringer and Brown working really well. Stringer is 192cm (a lot taller than I thought he was) and we already know Brown is a good mark and can play a lot taller then his height would suggest. A forward line consisting of all those plus TFG contains a lot of aerial threats while retaining a lot of speed on the ground.

Really no need to bring in Ricca or Keeffe except as injury depth.

Yeah Stringer is a Pseudo Tall...kinda perfect for that 3rd tall option that still allows you to play 3 smalls but have the foot speed up the ground.
It also makes him a bit of a tough match up. Much like Greene can be but with the size to back it up and not allow you to play Small/mid sized defenders on him.

I don't think it'll have a huge effect on the Cadman/Hogan two man game. I do think it'll free up Toby Greene with Oppo coaches really having to flip a coin on who they wanna try and shut down.

 

[sydney_gws]

With another pre-season under his belt Cadman will be 10% fitter, stronger and certainly more capable of playing ruck-chop out. I thought he looked great doing that role when given the chance this year and we won't lose much forward because Hogan, Greene and Stringer (maybe Brown too) will still be there as offensive threats.

We should only be playing Riccardi and Keeffe in 2025 if we have injuries.

I think a bit harsh on Riccardi, provided he improves a bit.
If he or Cads ruck well enough, I could see all of Hogan, Greene, Cadman, Stringer, Riccardi in the team. But only if Stringer, Greene are playing a fair bit of midfield.

 

[Giant Pete]

I really hope Brown can regain his form from the start of last season.

I can foresee a forward line of Hogan, Cadman Stringer and Brown working really well. Stringer is 192cm (a lot taller than I thought he was) and we already know Brown is a good mark and can play a lot taller then his height would suggest. A forward line consisting of all those plus TFG contains a lot of aerial threats while retaining a lot of speed on the ground.

Really no need to bring in Ricca or Keeffe except as injury depth.

We need workers in the forward line too though… an even balance. Having Cadman, Hogan, TFG, Brown, and Stringer…. The ball will absolutely ping out of there.

 

[dlanod]

If we play Stringer, I can't see a position for Brown - they basically play the same role, as a medium sized player who plays more athletically than their size suggests. And we already didn't have a spot for Brown when we got a run on in the second half of the season.

 

[Battlepants]

We need workers in the forward line too though… an even balance. Having Cadman, Hogan, TFG, Brown, and Stringer…. The ball will absolutely ping out of there.

That could be true. Although they wouldn't all be there at the same time. At least one of those would be on the bench at any given time, plus Stringer/Greene rotating into the midfield and Cadman chopping out in the ruck.

But it's true we'd probably be better served with another small such as McMullin or Thomas instead of Brown.

 

[Adam Giant]

I think a bit harsh on Riccardi, provided he improves a bit.

He's had five seasons of senior footy and I haven't seen noticeable improvement in that time. Plays the odd good game here and there, followed by a bunch of mediocre/anonymous ones.

Cadman has gone past him and they haven't brought Stringer in to play in the two's.

 

[Giant Pete]

He's had five seasons of senior footy and I haven't seen noticeable improvement in that time. Plays the odd good game here and there, followed by a bunch of mediocre/anonymous ones.

Cadman has gone past him and they haven't brought Stringer in to play in the two's.

Riccardi doesn’t hit packs hard enough, and drops too many he could take.

 

[sydney_gws]

Riccardi doesn’t hit packs hard enough, and drops too many he could take.

I think he had improved, then injured his finger.
I haven't written him off, but it is up to him to be more physical.

I agree though it is unlikely all of those above play at once.