VFL GWS VFL 2024

[Giant Strides]

Seeing some players being signed to Giants for the VFL team in 2024, we'd better start a thread to collect those signings!

Thanks to captainMyCaptain for his eagle eyesight.

 

[Giant Strides]

Giants win, defeat the reigning premiers. Is that a breakout game for Gothard?

 

[JC100]

I really like Stone behind the ball, he’s looked really good since going back.

Gothard with 4 goals, big day.

It’s probably the windiest day I have ever seen at a footy game. Crazy stuff.

That last quarter was crazy. I think the wind will help the AFL side. Running the ball with speed will take the wind out of it somewhat. Going shorter in the back half won’t be an issue

 

[JC100]

So, if we lose Perryman, is Stone able to play the Pez role in defence? (Sorry, I'm doing other things this morning so can't actually watch the game.)

Bigger body and less agile that Pez so prob not lock down on quick smalls but reads the ball well, reliable kick and run and carry out of defence.

I think Fonti is going to be the one to play on the quick smalls going forward

 

[Jazny]

Looks like Leake had a big game. Did anyone watch it?

 

[Giant Strides]

Looks like Leake had a big game. Did anyone watch it?

I think a couple of guys did, but they probably went to Engie Stadium for the main game afterwards ... hopefully someone responds tomorrow.

 

[PaythePerryman]

Stone looked great off half back. Used his run really well and stayed engaged in the play. Tackled well too.

Gothard goals were good but the unreasonable high bar of Darcy Jones has ruined small forwards for me.

Adam Kennedy

40

Adam Kennedy

Age

32

Ht

183cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.9

4star

K

8.4

3star

HB

6.5

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.8

4star

MG

245.6

4star

D

1.0

1star

K

1.0

1star

HB

0.0

1star

M

0.0

1star

T

0.0

1star

MG

10.0

1star

D

18.6

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

8.8

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.4

4star

and Haynes were really solid back there. Still got it.

Training Leake up as a midfielder is a great idea.

Logan Smith looked great in the ruck. He's ****ing huge.

 

[JC100]

Stone looked great off half back. Used his run really well and stayed engaged in the play. Tackled well too.

Gothard goals were good but the unreasonable high bar of Darcy Jones has ruined small forwards for me.

Adam Kennedy and Haynes were really solid back there. Still got it.

Training Leake up as a midfielder is a great idea.

Logan Smith looked great in the ruck. He's ****ing huge.

don’t see Gothard getting a game this year however if we get an injury with one of the small forwards there is a ready made replacement running around in the VFL. Any other years and Thomas’s role would be his but Thomas season from pick 59 is out of the box.

Leake has looked solid and if he is a long term inside mid then we will have a centre bounce trio of green, Callaghan and Leake all at 190cm +

 

[Giant Strides]

Several GIANTS Ready for AFL Opportunity

VFL coach Wayne Cripps says a host of GIANTS playing VFL are ready for an AFL call-up.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

VFL coach Wayne Cripps says there’s several GIANTS banging down the door of AFL selection through strong VFL form.

On Saturday Cripps’ side overcame extremely windy conditions to storm past the visiting Gold Coast Suns by 27 points in Blacktown. A host of AFL-listed GIANTS shone in the win, with Cripps thrilled with the continued form of several troops at VFL level.

“We’ve got easily half a dozen guys who could easily slot into the AFL side at the moment. They’re working really hard on their craft and learning our system and executing our system consistently. I’m really comfortable pushing a lot of these names forward,” Cripps said.

Cripps was quick to highlight Conor Stone (33 touches, 15 marks) as one of those more than ready if needed in the AFL side following another strong performance in his new role as a rebounding defender. “Stoney’ was really impressive, especially his second half with his ability once again to give us that run and drive,” Cripps said of the 22-year-old. “And he gets the footy in good ways, he’s getting it from uncontested marks and handball receives which is what you want to see from your offensive backs. He’s really starting to put together a really strong body of work down there. It was probably his best game yet.”

First-round draft pick Phoenix Gothard also received high praise, with the 18-year-old producing his best performance yet, finishing with four goals to go along with 19 touches, seven clearances and five tackles. “It was great to see him kick a mini bag of four goals. We also put him on ball in the last quarter to give us some speed and those fast feet and he played a really important role with a couple of centre clearances for us in the last quarter.”

Wingman Jacob Wehr also continued his strong VFL form as he showed off his running power in another tireless display to finish with 29 touches and nine marks. “’Wehry’ was really solid again. Not only in joining in our chains but getting back and supporting the backs. He finished with seven possession gains which is a good number for a winger. With his contest and his work rate, he’s ticking all the boxes for a winger at the moment.”

Along with Gothard, fellow first round draft pick James Leake continues to impress, backing up his 24 possessions, eight tackles and four clearances against the Blues two weeks ago with 25 touches, 12 tackles and five clearances in another strong game. “His development has been really good. He only had seven touches at half-time, but he really worked his way into the game in the second half. “He had a game-high 16 contested possessions for us, and a game-high 12 tackles. That’s impressive stuff for a first-year player in his fourth game.”

Meanwhile Nick Haynes

19

Nick Haynes

Age

32

Ht

192cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.4

4star

K

11.4

4star

HB

4.9

4star

M

6.2

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

326.8

4star

D

17.4

4star

K

13.9

5star

HB

3.5

2star

M

8.0

5star

T

1.5

2star

MG

326.8

5star

D

7.8

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.2

4star

(38 touches, 13 marks) showed he’s ready whenever his name is called for an AFL return with another stellar performance down back. GIANTS veteran Kennedy also put in arguably his best game of the season, with the 32-year-old’s composure and dash off half-back a highlight as he finished with 18 touches and a 65m goal in just his fourth game back after more than a year out with an ACL injury.

 

[Giant Strides]

TEAMS: Smithy's VFL Round 18

Suns name cricket convert; Tigers, Pies bolstered; Hawks regain young gun; Dees name premiership utility

www.afl.com.au

Melbourne premiership player Tom Sparrow has been named to play his first Smithy’s VFL game in three years for Casey Demons against the GWS Giants at Casey Fields on Saturday morning. Sparrow has missed just three AFL games since the Demons’ 2021 flag but is an emergency to take on the Giants later in the day.

Casey has made six changes to the team that lost to Frankston last week, with Lachie Hunter (calf) returning from injury, while Tom Fullarton and Adam Tomlinson were travelling emergencies last week. Jed Adams (lung) and Ben Brown (knee), whose last-minute failed fitness test left the Demons a man down last week, are out.

The Giants made a solitary Academy swap as they shoot to stay in the finals race, with South-West Sydney Blues youngster Coby Hilton to debut.

CASEY DEMONS vs GWS GIANTS​

Saturday 27 July, 11:35am, Casey Fields
Head-to-Head: 1-1; At Casey Fields: 1-1; Streak: Casey Demons 1; Last Time: Casey Demons 20.14 (134) def GWS Giants 4.14 (38) – July 2, 2023, Casey Fields

CASEY DEMONS
B: M. Hore (27), A. Tomlinson (20), M. Gregory (57)
HB: B. Howes (22), J. Schache (19), R. Steele (54)
C: L. Hunter (12), T. Sparrow (32), T. Edwards (58)
HF: S. McAdam (23), M. Jefferson (21), O. Sestan (38)
F: H. Neocleous (75), L. Kentfield (44), W. Verrall (28)
R: T. Fullarton (33), M. White (52), K. Brown (41)
INT: N. Moodie (74), C. Peters (63), N. Yze (29)*, K. Windsor (66), R. George (71)
EMG: M. Szybkowski (56), J. Bell (73), R. Valentine (65), B. Laplanche (68)

IN: T. Fullarton, L. Hunter, H. Neocleous, T. Sparrow, A. Tomlinson, N. Yze
OUT: J. Adams (lung), J. Behnk, J. Bell, B. Laplanche, M. Szybkowski

GWS GIANTS
B: A. Kennedy (40), H. Montgomery (50), W. Derksen (45)
HB: J. Wehr (10), L. Aleer (21), N. Haynes (19)
C: J. Leake (30), J. Bowne (59), R. Angwin (9)
HF: N. Wardius (42), L. Keeffe (25), P. Gothard (29)
F: C. Brown (46), M. Gruzewski (35), R. Hebron (47)
R: L. Smith (55), J. Delana (64), C. Stone (18)
INT: N. Quigg (54), M. Harms (60), J. Creighton (51), B. Galimberti (62), C. Hilton (66)*
EMG: S. House, T. McCaffrey, D. Gauci, J. Rush, K. Gabila, W. Clark, G. Varagiannis

IN: C. Hilton
OUT: R. Hamilton
NEW: Coby Hilton, 18, 186cm, South-West Sydney/Giants Academy

 

[kickthething]

Off to Casey Fields gloomy day could be getting wet.We should be able to get it done today.

 

[BarryAglett]

A low scoring slog. We were struggling until storming home in the last quarter. 5 goals to nil.

 

[Giant Strides]

Whoa. Gru with 5 goals, and Joey Delana (one of our academy kids) with the winning goal. Callum Brown couldn't buy a goal.

 

[kickthething]

Coach swung some magnets around at 3/4 time, got some drive out of the backline that got the game moving our way. GRU exceptional, kept us in it. Brown some good involvements in the last that were imprtabt.

Was a lacklustre 1st 3 quarters and too much ball use by hand, finally got the msg to just get the ball forward in the last.

Was freezing as well.

 

[Giant Pete]

Coach swung some magnets around at 3/4 time, got some drive out of the backline that got the game moving our way. GRU exceptional, kept us in it. Brown some good involvements in the last that were imprtabt.

Was a lacklustre 1st 3 quarters and too much ball use by hand, finally got the msg to just get the ball forward in the last.

Was freezing as well.

Geez I hope our AFL side can play the conditions. It has been a consistent failing most of the year… incredibly frustrating to watch.

 

[Giant Strides]

TEAMS: Smithy's VFL Round 19

Dons name tall duo; Tigers lose three young guns for big clash; Seagulls hit by injuries; Hawks add key pair for trip north

www.afl.com.au

GWS midfielder Marc Sheather returns from injury for the Giants’ clash with Box Hill Hawks at Blacktown International Sports Park on Sunday. Sheather has missed a month with a knee injury but his return will be a big boost for a Giants team that needs to win to stay in the finals race, with Belconnen big man Cooper Bell to make his debut, replacing promoted pair Max Gruzewski and Ryan Angwin.

The Giants come up against a Hawks team boosted by the returns of Finn Maginness and Chad Wingard.

Academy Debutant Headlines VFL Changes

A GIANTS Academy youngster will make his VFL debut.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

GIANTS Academy youngster Cooper Bell will make his VFL debut as one of two changes for the GIANTS’ clash with Box Hill in Blacktown on Sunday. A key position utility, Bell comes into the VFL side after strong performances for both the GIANTS Academy and the Allies in the Under-18 Championships this year.

The 17-year-old is one of four GIANTS Academy members set to take the field for the club’s VFL side on Sunday, joining Coby Hilton, Josaia Delana and Logan Smith against the Hawks.

Tough midfielder Marc Sheather also returns to bolster the VFL side after missing five weeks with a knee injury.

Bell and Sheather come into the team in place of Max Gruzewski and Ryan Angwin, with Gruzewski returning to the AFL side for the clash with the Hawks, while Angwin is the AFL side’s travelling emergency.

GWS GIANTS vs BOX HILL HAWKS​

Sunday 4 August, 11:05am, Blacktown International Sportspark
Head-to-Head: Box Hill Hawks 2-1; At BISP: Never Met; Streak: Box Hill Hawks 2; Last Time: Box Hill Hawks 20.8 (128) def GWS Giants 8.12 (60) – June 9, 2024, BHCO

GWS GIANTS
B: A. Kennedy (40), H. Montgomery (50), W. Derksen (45)
HB: J. Wehr (10), L. Aleer (21), N. Haynes (19)
C: J. Leake (30), J. Bowne (59), C. Stone (18)
HF: N. Wardius (42), L. Keeffe (25), P. Gothard (29)
F: C. Brown (46), M. Harms (60), R. Hebron (47)
R: L. Smith (55), J. Delana (64), M. Sheather (48)
INT: N. Quigg (54), C. Bell (63), J. Creighton (51), B. Galimberti (62), C. Hilton (66)*
EMG: S. House, T. McCaffrey, D. Gauci, J. Rush, K. Gabila, W. Clark, E. Williams

IN: C. Bell, M. Sheather
OUT: R. Angwin, M. Gruzewski (AFL)
NEW: Cooper Bell, 17, 198cm, Belconnen/Giants Academy

BOX HILL HAWKS
B: W. McCabe (27), E. Phillips (37), S. Mitchell (40)
HB: J. Serong (29), D. Grainger-Barras (24), B. Macdonald (42)
C: C. Mackenzie (28), H. Hustwaite (44), B. Ryan (26)
HF: C. Stephens (21), C. Wingard (20), J. Scaife (39)
F: T. Brown (99), M. Ramsden (38), J. O'Sullivan (43)
R: C. Tucker (45), F. Maginness (32), H. Morrison (1)
INT: J. Thorpe (57), B. Hicks (63)*, C. Porter (55), J. Arundell (70), S. Horner (62)
EMG: D. Wood (68), A. Mathieson (72), B. Cavarra (52), K. Agosta (78), S. Amoroso (73), A. Stefanakis (65), J. Tovey (75), N. Philactides (51)

IN: F. Maginness, C. Wingard
OUT: K. Agosta, A. Stefanakis

 

[Giant Strides]

The preceding VFL match seemed eerily similar to the main game ... except for the result. Inaccuracy killing us again.

Box Hill Hawks 11.12.78 def
GWS 10.17.77

Around the state leagues: Hawk responds, Giant fires, Roo's big day

Check out all the best players from this weekend's VFL, SANFL and WAFL action

www.afl.com.au

Veteran Nick Haynes was big but not big enough as GWS went down to Box Hill by a solitary point on Sunday. Haynes racked up 36 disposals and 12 marks as the Giants tried to chase down a 28-point deficit at three-quarter time.

2023 first round draftee James Leake impressed with 34 touches and a team-high eight clearances, while 2020 first round selection Conor Stone had 24 possessions and seven marks.

Wade Derksen had 17 disposals and kicked two goals, but unfortunately missed one in the final term that would have snatched the lead, Nathan Wardius also slotted two, Phoenix Gothard (nine tackles) kicked one, as did Lachie Keeffe from 14 touches, six clearances and 18 hitouts.

 

[Colonial]

So close

 

[Colonial]

Some silly stuff

 

[BarryAglett]

Derk gave up a 100m (2x50m) penalty when we started gaining momentum in the 4th.
Some wasted opportunities in the final minutes after coming from nowhere for the 2nd week in a row.
We looked a bit small in defence and moved the ball well between the 50s but connection was the issue.

 

[MelbourneGWS]

We are currently 8 wins - 8 losses with 2 games left for the VFL season, and just outside the 10th final playoff spot. Unfortunately, next week we play 3rd placed Brisbane away, and after that Williamstown away who are higher than us in the ladder. With one game and a significant % behind, we are unlikely to make VFL playoffs this year.

 

[kickthething]

We are currently 8 wins - 8 losses with 2 games left for the VFL season, and just outside the 10th final playoff spot. Unfortunately, next week we play 3rd placed Brisbane away, and after that Williamstown away who are higher than us in the ladder. With one game and a significant % behind, we are unlikely to make VFL playoffs this year.

First 3 centre clearances…..14 disposals to zero……Hawks led 3 goals to zip. Slow start killed us ultimately, looked like we should run over them in the fourth but after quick goals they dried up…Agree 100 mtr plty play Derksen brain fade did not help and arrested the momentum , Wehr? Last snap I thought was going through but just fell short. Unlucky loss but plenty of chances to win, the better side for 3 qtrs.

 

[Giant Pete]

Didn’t see the game but it sounds like Leake is progressing nicely. Between him and Rowston we should get at least one of the midfielders we need next season.

 

[JC100]

Didn’t see the game but it sounds like Leake is progressing nicely. Between him and Rowston we should get at least one of the midfielders we need next season.

Leake’s output in the VFL is as good as any first year midfielder we have had. If he didn’t start the year injured I’m sure it would have debuted and would still be an outside chance given his flexibility.

 

[Giant Pete]

Leake’s output in the VFL is as good as any first year midfielder we have had. If he didn’t start the year injured I’m sure it would have debuted and would still be an outside chance given his flexibility.

Yep… he’s had a horrible run with injury. Can’t wait to see him fit.

 

[3207]

Yep… he’s had a horrible run with injury. Can’t wait to see him fit.

I’m more an emotional viewer as opposed to an analytical one - I just don’t see Rowston as an AFL standard mid.