VFL GWS VFL 2023 Thread

[Giant Strides]

Watching the game today… we look very light on for midfielders compared to the Pies.

Essentially, Rowston is our only listed inside midfielder, the rest of the mids are all VFL players. Gilbee and Fahey essentially outside mids/flankers. They have more who have been in the system longer.

We were IMHO 1 inside mid short in the squad balance when we traded out both Hopper and Taranto; since we did so I would have gone another midfielder in the ND (likely someone who could play mid-forward) rather than Toby McMullin.

 

[Giant Strides]

Derksen another 5-goal haul - anyone watching to provide an opinion on how he's playing? If Cadman doesn't do much today, it might be time to reward either Derksen or Gruzewski for their VFL efforts.

 

[Giant Strides]

Holy crap - how did we pull that off? A 7-goal to 4 last quarter to sneak home by 2 points! Kudos to the boys for fighting to the end.

Hopefully that's a good omen for the main game!

 

[MelbourneGWS]

This win makes it 5-2 and we are right in the VFL finals mix

 

[Hendo_21]

Watched bits and pieces of this game in the first half but just finished watching the 4th quarter and honestly insane performance from Rowston, had 19 clearances for the game and 13 in the fourth quarter alone, exactly the type of dominant performances we want to be seeing from him. Derksen kicked 5, he's really banging on the door for a game, Gruzewski kicked 2 and kicked a really nice checkside on a super tight angle late in the fourth quarter to bring the lead in. Fahey continued his usual form, good to see so many have productive performances and taking advantage of their VFL opportunities.

 

[Giant Pete]

Watched bits and pieces of this game in the first half but just finished watching the 4th quarter and honestly insane performance from Rowston, had 19 clearances for the game and 13 in the fourth quarter alone, exactly the type of dominant performances we want to be seeing from him. Derksen kicked 5, he's really banging on the door for a game, Gruzewski kicked 2 and kicked a really nice checkside on a super tight angle late in the fourth quarter to bring the lead in. Fahey continued his usual form, good to see so many have productive performances and taking advantage of their VFL opportunities.

13 clearances in a quarter? Is that a record?

 

[Hendo_21]

13 clearances in a quarter? Is that a record?

Would have to be damn close if it isn't, a super rare performance, kicked a clutch goal as well

 

[ZionMig22]

What does Cadman offer currently that Derksen can't?

 

[GWS Goose]

What does Cadman offer currently that Derksen can't?

Probably more mobile but your point is well made.

 

[ZionMig22]

Probably more mobile but your point is well made.

Tbh i think Derksen is more athletic and can play different roles

Only my 2 cents worth

 

[grimlock]

I see BOC had 22 and 2 goals (both in the last). Is he any chance of getting picked up by you guys or is he seen more of a experienced mature body to support your young kids

 

[GWS Goose]

I see BOC had 22 and 2 goals (both in the last). Is he any chance of getting picked up by you guys or is he seen more of a experienced mature body to support your young kids

He is banging the door down. Would not be surprised if we pick him up in the midseason.

 

[Brave New World]

Watched the game of TV. Again, through my ‘non-expert eye’ I picked-out the following:

Briggs: did not have much in the way of opposition and so dominated the hit-outs. But what was very good was his contest around the ground; hustling, exerting pressure and taking marks, especially up forward. Of course this is at VFL level and the $64 question is can he replicate this at seniors (particularly if he is chosen as the sole specialist ruckman). He appears to me to be very similar to Flynn as a rucking type; perhaps they would work best in tandem at seniors, but how you would do this with team balance is a wider question.

Rowston: was the catalyst for the comeback. I suspect the ‘break’ from the seniors allowed him to play with that same intensity at the lower level, so there is some reasoning in not rushing him back to still let him develop as the first-year player he is. If he is brought back into the seniors I think he needs to be in the team and not as a sub; to get full game time either way each week.

Fahey: just has been continually good every week. If injuries and lack of form in the seniors open up spots, I would promote him in as like for like.

Derksen: has been consistent over the weeks and with Briggs and Madden coming back he should get a good go at consolidating as a KPF. His mobility is his best selling point at this time (with kicking goals!) so if he was to be promoted it would be to give Cadman a rest or if Himmelberg goes down back. Like Fahey his constant effort with the prerequisite results should mean he is seriously considered for seniors.

O’Connor: has continued to improve whilst learning the Giants’ system. If he was drafted MSD he could provide an immediate impact as an option for a power centreman/inside-mid if clearances become a problem.

Keeffe/Davis: looked off the pace, not sure if this was due to lack of match-fitness or their veteran status. I think they will need more game time to prepare them for any senior selection.

Newly listed players: Gillbee, McMullin, Gruzewski; all showed ‘something’ at different times as a reminder of why they were drafted.

Team: showed the ‘never surrender’ attitude which AK and his acolytes seems to have brought to the list (barring the seniors’ recent effort). Good signs for the longer term if it continues.

 

[Powkid]

My thoughts:

• BOC to be signed in MSD
• Derkson to come in this week with either Cadman rested or HH sent down back
• Rowston been excellent last game and I’ve been impressed with him as a sub in the seniors. Could be a possibility to come back in this week.
• Maybe time to swap Briggs with Flynn for a couple of games

Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[geelongrecruit5]

He is banging the door down. Would not be surprised if we pick him up in the midseason.

I’d say age may cost him, in there to support the young VFL lads. I’m tipping they’ll go within for MSD possibly one of the the younger ones such as Anderson, Edmends, Fejo or Pavlidis who are all likely types.

 

[Giant Strides]

I’d say age may cost him, in there to support the young VFL lads. I’m tipping they’ll go within for MSD possibly one of the the younger ones such as Anderson, Edmends, Fejo or Pavlidis who are all likely types.

Alternatively, if we're looking just to have another mature player who can fill a gap in AFL should injuries strike, then BOC fits the bill. If we just give him a 6-month contract (presuming he nominates to accept that length), we have coverage for a role we're a bit light on until the end of the season, and it doesn't impact draft selections at end of year.

We can open up two spots, so there's an opportunity to take a younger kid with an eye to a longer contract as well.

 

[Giant Pete]

Alternatively, if we're looking just to have another mature player who can fill a gap in AFL should injuries strike, then BOC fits the bill. If we just give him a 6-month contract (presuming he nominates to accept that length), we have coverage for a role we're a bit light on until the end of the season, and it doesn't impact draft selections at end of year.

We can open up two spots, so there's an opportunity to take a younger kid with an eye to a longer contract as well.

At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter does it? A lot of the talk about mid season draft, and guys who make up the bottom of the list… amounts to nothing.

 

[Giant Strides]

TEAMS: Smithy’s VFL Round 9

Hawks name forward ace; Blues make ten changes; Seagulls regain midfield star; Bullants lose key forward

www.afl.com.au

The Giants lost Jake Riccardi and Kieren Briggs to the AFL team, with Callum Brown, Matthew Flynn and Daniel Lloyd coming the other way, while Lavington youngster Nick Newton makes his debut after impressing in the Young Guns series over the past fortnight.

GWS GIANTS vs SANDRINGHAM​

Sunday 21 May, 12:55pm, Giants Stadium
Head-to-head: 0-0-1. At Giants Stadium: Never Met. Streak: Drawn 1

GWS GIANTS
B: M. Ryan (49), R. Hebron (47), P. Davis (1)
HB: J. Anderson (51), L. Keeffe (25), C. Brown (46)
C: J. Fahey (34), M. Conn (57), J. Gillbee (42)
HF: D. Lloyd (38), W. Derksen (45), D. Edmends (50)
F: T. McCaffrey (53), M. Gruzewski (35), T. McMullin (31)
R: M. Flynn (30), B. O'Connor (52), H. Rowston (24)
INT: W. Clark (56), N. Newton (66)*, N. Madden (41), W. Shaw (55), R. Fejo (63)
EMG: W. Sabolch, R. Bice, B. Rauter, A. Mathieson

IN: C. Brown, R. Fejo, M. Flynn, D. Lloyd, N. Newton
OUT: K. Briggs, J. Riccardi (AFL), J. Creighton (concussion), A. Mathieson, B. Rauter
NEW: Nick Newton, 19, Lavington/Giants Academy/Murray Bushrangers

SANDRINGHAM
B: J. Van Es (31), T. Highmore (34), O. Adams (26)
HB: W. Dunne (79), T. Milne (61), Z. Cordy (21)
C: T. Owens (55), L. Connolly (37), J. Billings (15)
HF: J. Segar (71), J. Peris (45), S. Latreille (67)*
F: N. Gown (65), I. Keeler (40), M. Heath (42)
R: T. Campbell (38), M. Windhager (17), J. Bytel (23)
INT: A. Seaton (50), B. Watson (70), C. Sharman (43), B. Paton (33), J. Lohmann (64)
EMG: O. Lowe (59), T. Blamires (76), T. Lafituanai (74), I. Wallace (52), R. Virtue (53), W. Gown (68)

IN: J. Bytel, L. Connolly, W. Dunne, B. Paton, C. Sharman
OUT: J. Webster (AFL), D. Hipwell (injured), V. Zagari (concussion), T. Blamires, T. Lafituanai

 

[GWS Goose]

I'm glad Briggs is getting a game

 

[Giant Strides]

I'm glad Briggs is getting a game

Deserves his reward for consistent effort and performance.

 

[Giant Pete]

Deserves his reward for consistent effort and performance.

I really hope he steps up. He has the tools.

 

[Giant Strides]

Fulltime in the VFL & another good win by our boys:

GWS 12.15.87 def Sandringham 9.6.60

Goals: Derksen 3, Lloyd 2, McMullin 2, Flynn 2, Fejo, Edmends, Conn

Fahey 42 disposals (why isn't he getting a look at AFL level?), Rowston 26, Lloyd 25, Gilbee 23

 

[MelbourneGWS]

That makes us 6-2 for the VFL. Currently 6th in the ladder and finals bound!

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Fahey 42 disposals (why isn't he getting a look at AFL level?), Rowston 26, Lloyd 25, Gilbee 23

Yes, I too don’t understand why Josh Fahey is not been given a chance at AFL level. With Fleeton debuting last week, Fahey is now the person in our current list who has been waiting the longest to make his debut.