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

[Adam Giant]

I wouldnt mind a slightly lighter streamlined Toby like in 2015 -2019 to get a bit more nimbleness back into his game.

He's 32 next year so it's hard to recapture physical attributes that one has in their early to mid 20's. The version of Toby we have now is fine, he just needs to kick a bit straighter than he did this year and he'll have another 50 goal season.

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Sen’s view on the player(s) at each club who need to go to the next level in 2025

Leek Aleer and Jake Stringer

20

Jake Stringer

Age

30

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.8

5star

D

8.5

2star

K

7.0

3star

HB

1.5

1star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

4star

G

2.5

5star

D

7.2

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.4

5star

It feels like 2025 could be the season that the freakishly athletic Leek Aleer explodes.

The 23-year-old played eight games in 2024 and showed some of his enormous potential, particularly in a match-winning defensive display against Geelong in Round 11.

Aleer has been stuck behind Sam Taylor

15

Sam Taylor

Age

25

Ht

198cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.1

4star

MG

130.5

2star

D

8.0

2star

K

2.5

1star

HB

5.5

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.5

3star

MG

60.8

1star

D

8.6

3star

K

3.0

1star

HB

5.6

4star

M

1.2

2star

T

2.8

5star

MG

110.8

2star

and Jack Buckley in the key defence pecking order, but he needs to find a way to force himself into the Giants’ backline. Otherwise his head could be turned...

A massive pre-season is crucial for Aleer who possesses the natural attributes required to be a very good AFL defender. Now he needs the fitness and strength to go with it.

You could also thrown in trade period recruit Jake Stringer

20

Jake Stringer

Age

30

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.8

5star

D

8.5

2star

K

7.0

3star

HB

1.5

1star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

4star

G

2.5

5star

D

7.2

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.4

5star

.

He was constantly critiqued for the shape in which he turned up to pre-season during his time at Essendon. Perhaps he’ll be keen to make a strong impression on his new teammates.

If Stringer can kick 40-plus goals in 2025, then the Giants might become serious, serious contenders.

The player at all 18 AFL clubs that needs an enormous pre-season

Which player at your club needs a big pre-season?

www.sen.com.au

 

[captainMyCaptain]

No Cookies | CODE Sports

No Cookies | CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

 

[Danny88]

Sen’s view on the player(s) at each club who need to go to the next level in 2025

Leek Aleer and Jake Stringer

It feels like 2025 could be the season that the freakishly athletic Leek Aleer explodes.

The 23-year-old played eight games in 2024 and showed some of his enormous potential, particularly in a match-winning defensive display against Geelong in Round 11.

Aleer has been stuck behind Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley in the key defence pecking order, but he needs to find a way to force himself into the Giants’ backline. Otherwise his head could be turned...

A massive pre-season is crucial for Aleer who possesses the natural attributes required to be a very good AFL defender. Now he needs the fitness and strength to go with it.

You could also thrown in trade period recruit Jake Stringer.

He was constantly critiqued for the shape in which he turned up to pre-season during his time at Essendon. Perhaps he’ll be keen to make a strong impression on his new teammates.

If Stringer can kick 40-plus goals in 2025, then the Giants might become serious, serious contenders.

The player at all 18 AFL clubs that needs an enormous pre-season

Which player at your club needs a big pre-season?

www.sen.com.au

Anyone ever seen Aleer ruck? Could that be something he brings into his game to force his way in?

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Fox Sports views on what constitutes minimum success for each team in 2025. I want us to win our inaugural premiership, but may need to aim a bit lower!

GWS GIANTS
Pass mark: Make a preliminary final
The Giants are the hardest of the 18 teams to gain a reading on for a pass mark in 2025. The loss of Isaac Cumming

44

Isaac Cumming

Age

26

Ht

188cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.2

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

5.2

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.3

4star

MG

158.0

2star

D

9.5

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.5

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

2.5

3star

MG

158.0

3star

D

10.6

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.6

4star

, Harry Perryman

12

Harry Perryman

Age

26

Ht

187cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.5

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.1

4star

M

4.5

4star

T

2.8

4star

MG

216.2

3star

D

18.5

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

7.9

4star

M

4.5

4star

T

1.3

2star

MG

301.3

4star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

4.6

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.8

5star

MG

83.2

2star

and James Peatling could end up testing their depth - but on the contrary, they could also take THREE first-round picks into this year’s draft - currently 15, 16 and 21. Tom Green

12

Tom Green

Age

23

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

4.3

2star

HB

7.3

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.3

4star

CL

2.8

4star

D

11.5

3star

K

4.3

2star

HB

7.3

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.3

3star

CL

2.8

4star

D

11.5

3star

K

4.3

2star

HB

7.3

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.3

4star

CL

2.8

5star

, Finn Callaghan, Darcy Jones and Aaron Cadman look closer than ever to taking their game to the next level. Subsequently, their ceiling is very high, but it remains an unknown as to how deep their exits will cut come March next year. Having made the semi-finals three times in the last four seasons, it feels fair to say a preliminary final berth ticks off their season.

From flag-or-bust to starved finals contenders: Every AFL club’s early pass mark for 2025

Flag-or-bust for scarred contender; daunting reality of surge sinks in: Every club’s early ‘25 pass mark

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Giant Strides]

View attachment 2156595

No Cookies | CODE Sports

No Cookies | CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

At least they're not going with 4 talls in the team.

But they do have 3 medium/small forwards on the bench. No-one seems to believe the club when they've said Stone is up first to replace Pez.

 

[domologue]

At least they're not going with 4 talls in the team.

But they do have 3 medium/small forwards on the bench. No-one seems to believe the club when they've said Stone is up first to replace Pez.

The press also rates XO higher than we do...

 

[dlanod]

The press also rates XO higher than we do...

A Victorian club wanted him, he must be a star!

 

[fridgeman]

A Victorian club wanted him, he must be a star!

X should hold out until his FA year (2 more years I think) have a couple of good years permanent place in the side and then a 5-6 year contract at 800k to set him up for life. I think he has the ability just needs to tidy up a few things in his game (disposal efficiency and accuracy at goal) and not sure who a comparison would be

 

[dlanod]

X should hold out until his FA year (2 more years I think) have a couple of good years permanent place in the side and then a 5-6 year contract at 800k to set him up for life. I think he has the ability just needs to tidy up a few things in his game (disposal efficiency and accuracy at goal) and not sure who a comparison would be

He doesn't play the same but he could easily follow the Williams/Perryman model where a team convinces themselves he's a midfield star in the making if only they fixed these two "minor" things and starts throwing silly cash around.

 

[Giant Pete]

Idun Taylor Whitfield
Ash Buckley Fonti
Callaghan Cogs Kelly
Greene Cadman Stringer
Jones Hogan Muff

Briggs Green Daniels

Bedford HH Thomas Stone
Sub: Ward

I feel like this side will suit our desired gamestyle the best.

 

[GWS Goose]

He doesn't play the same but he could easily follow the Williams/Perryman model where a team convinces themselves he's a midfield star in the making if only they fixed these two "minor" things and starts throwing silly cash around.

He is pretty good when he is on the inside..if someone needs that, he could be the man. He may get Peatling's minutes.
They aren't too dissimilar, hard at it with clean hands. Not great distributers in space.

 

[Battlepants]

Idun Taylor Whitfield
Ash Buckley Fonti
Callaghan Cogs Kelly
Greene Cadman Stringer
Jones Hogan Muff

Briggs Green Daniels

Bedford HH Thomas Stone
Sub: Ward

I feel like this side will suit our desired gamestyle the best.

I like it. Only change I would personally make is putting Ward on the wing instead of Callaghan or Kelly and making Stone the sub.

 

[GWS Goose]

Idun Taylor Whitfield
Ash Buckley Fonti
Callaghan Cogs Kelly
Greene Cadman Stringer
Jones Hogan Muff

Briggs Green Daniels

Bedford HH Thomas Stone
Sub: Ward

I feel like this side will suit our desired gamestyle the best.

Might be a little attacking with the small defenders. But overall I like it.
I like the idea of Daniels running through the middle

 

[BarryAglett]

Idun Taylor Whitfield
Ash Buckley Fonti
Callaghan Cogs Kelly
Greene Cadman Stringer
Jones Hogan Muff

Briggs Green Daniels

Bedford HH Thomas Stone
Sub: Ward

I feel like this side will suit our desired gamestyle the best.

I like Muff in the forward pocket - some possible CBA along with Greene and Stringer.
HH and Cads to help out in the ruck. Works on paper.
Aleer is the most unlucky player left out.

 

[Giant Gutsache]

Idun Taylor Thomas
Coniglio Buckley Whitfield
Ash Green Kelly
Greene Cadman Jones
Daniels Hogan Stringer

Briggs Callaghan Bedford

Leake Himmelberg Gothard Oliver
Brown

I’ll be disappointed if there aren’t a few new names in the best 23 by the end of the year.

 

[Battlepants]

Your club's best 22 in 2025: Who's in, who's out, who's new

With the trade period and draft done, our reporters have their say on your team's best line-up for next year

www.afl.com.au

AFL have put out their best 22s for next year. Ours is pretty close, but I think Riccardi gets replaced by somebody, probably McMullin.

 

[GWS Goose]

Your club's best 22 in 2025: Who's in, who's out, who's new

With the trade period and draft done, our reporters have their say on your team's best line-up for next year

www.afl.com.au

AFL have put out their best 22s for next year. Ours is pretty close, but I think Riccardi gets replaced by somebody, probably McMullin.

They always leave my man Muff out .
Despite being ahead of many they name and seemingly on a steeper upswing.

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Toby Bedford still our time trial champ!

Time Trial King Reigns Supreme

The GIANTS kicked things off with the traditional 2km time trial on Monday as the entire playing list returned to the club.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

 

[Simmofreo]

[emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji6]" data-quote="MelbourneGWS" data-source="post: 0" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">

Toby Bedford still our time trial champ!

[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]/time-trial-king-reigns-supreme" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/forum/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gwsgiants.com.au%2Fnews%2F%5Bemoji637%5D%5Bemoji%5Bemoji6%5Bemoji640%5D%5Bemoji638%5D%5D%5Bemoji640%5D%5Bemoji639%5D%5D%5Bemoji%5Bemoji6%5Bemoji640%5D%5Bemoji638%5D%5D%5Bemoji640%5D%5Bemoji6%5Bemoji640%5D%5Bemoji638%5D%5D%5D%5Bemoji637%5D%5Bemoji637%5D%5Bemoji637%5D%5Bemoji%5Bemoji6%5Bemoji640%5D%5Bemoji638%5D%5D%5Bemoji640%5D%5Bemoji6%5Bemoji640%5D%5Bemoji638%5D%5D%5D%2Ftime-trial-king-reigns-supreme&hash=b0fd88f6183b37f7318965011be27f15" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">https://www.gwsgiants.com.au/news/[...0]]]/time-trial-king-reigns-supreme

I’m surprised Darcy Jones doesn’t beat him. Or is he more of a [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]m guy ?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Giant Pete]

It’s not common for someone to have both elite speed and endurance. Bedford is blessed in that regard.
Jones has the speed, not the tank.

 

[Giant Strides]

It’s not common for someone to have both elite speed and endurance. Bedford is blessed in that regard.
Jones has the speed, not the tank.

The coaches need to work out how to get him into the game more consistently, and also improve his disposal.

 

[GWS Goose]

The coaches need to work out how to get him into the game more consistently, and also improve his disposal.

Disposal is a clear weakness. That tagger role has been great to use his strengths and reduce the importance of his weaknesses.

He doesn't play the same but he could easily follow the Williams/Perryman model where a team convinces themselves he's a midfield star in the making if only they fixed these two "minor" things and starts throwing silly cash around.

He is good in tight. I think if he could get an inside mid role he'd be very decent.
Unfortunately he hasn't been able to jag that with us

 

[Giant Strides]

List analysis: Which club has the most goalkicking firepower?

Who has kicked 100-plus career goals, and who has booted 50-plus in a season before?

www.afl.com.au

GREATER Western Sydney only added to its already impressive forward line in the off-season, while Hawthorn has shown a strength in depth. Already blessed with Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan and captain Toby Greene, the Giants landed Jake Stringer from Essendon during the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period. That means GWS, which suffered a straight-sets finals exit in 2024, is the only club in the competition to have three players on its list to have kicked 50-plus goals in a season.

Those players are hard to find, with four clubs – Collingwood, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and Sydney – having none on their list, while another six have only one.

Unsurprisingly given their experience, the Magpies have the most players to have kicked 100-plus career goals with 11, but the last player to kick at least 50 goals in a season for the club was Travis Cloke in 2013. After recovering from a 0-5 start to make a semi-final, the Hawks showed their depth with eight players kicking 20-plus goals in 2024. That was an equal League-high, alongside eventual premier Brisbane.

GWS

Most goals: Toby Greene (375)
Players with 100-plus career goals: 7 (Toby Greene, Jake Stringer, Jesse Hogan, Harry Himmelberg, Callan Ward, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio,
Players with 50-plus goal seasons: 3 (Toby Greene, Jake Stringer, Jesse Hogan)
Leading goalkicker in 2024: Jesse Hogan (77)
Average goals kicked in 2024: 13.2 (equal sixth most)
Players with 20-plus goals in 2024: 5 (Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman, Jake Riccardi, Brent Daniels)

 

[Giant Strides]

Just one of the "fluff" articles written at this time of year. Still, it's all we've got!

The GWS draftee who's "going to be a good player" following early impression

"The boys have certainly shown their attributes."

www.zerohanger.com

Working alongside the team's star-studded backline and against their lively forwards, Stone has gotten a close look at the Giants' pre-season standouts. 12 months ago it was Academy graduate Harvey Thomas who impressed before enjoying a 22-game rookie season, while speedster Darcy Jones also broke through for an AFL debut prior to cementing his place in Kingsley's plans.

This year, hard-nosed half-back Harrison Oliver has emerged as someone who "looks like he's going to be a good player" for GWS, with fellow first-year flanker Cody Angove also catching Stone's eye.

"The one last year that really stood out and it translated to on-field performance was Harvey Thomas. There's a no-fuss attitude about the way he goes about his footy. So that was really impressive. Darcy's obviously got some unbelievable traits," he said. "Then all the draftees are getting eased into it a little bit but they've all showed signs. Harry Oliver, he's another half-back, he looks like he's going to be a good player for us. Cody Angove has had a couple of little highlights as well so far. The boys have certainly shown their attributes and showed that they will fit into the Giants system, so it's a real credit to them so far."