GWS Giants AFL 2024 Predictions, Projections and Player Movement

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Sun 18 Feb 2024 06:33

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Ryan Tucker 18 Feb 2024

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Projected 11th place finish in 2024 AFL season.
Strong attacking metrics and core team players as key strengths.
Deficiencies identified in defensive metrics and tactics.

Toby Greene of the Giants (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFL 2024 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement: GWS Giants

AFL 2024 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement: GWS Giants
Where they finish: 11th in the AFL in 2024
What’s to like
What’s NOT to like
GWS Giants Offseason Player Movement
GWS Giants Predicted Round 1 Squad

Where they finish: 11th in the AFL in 2024

In 2023 there were two wins separating 5th and 11th. My expectation is that it will once again be congested in the middle of the table in 2024. The Giants have picked up a few solid draft assets but it will take time before they are at AFL level. GWS will be in the mix come September, luck will determine whether they make the 8 or not.

What’s to like

GWS proved last year that their list is good enough to match it with any team. Across attacking metrics they were top 5 in a number of areas last season. They led the league in 1%ers and Uncontested Possesions, 3rd in the AFL in Inside 50’s as well as scoring the 3rd most Goals of any team in 2023.

Their core of Greene, Kelly, Whitfield, Coniglio, Ward and Haynes are elite, add to that Tom Green who last season was first in the AFL in disposals and contested possessions per game as well as 10th for score involvements, the team is right in their Premiership window!

What’s NOT to like

With a host of young up and coming players there will be hard competition for spots in the team. This is not necessarily always a bad thing but could cause instability for the veterans if things don’t start out well.

Statistically GWS are not a great defensive team. They allowed their opponents the most amount of Inside 50’s of any team in the AFL in 2023, were worst in opposition Clearances and teams that played the Giants enjoyed the 5th most amount of Uncontested Possessions. Any one of those metrics could tip a close game from a win to a loss sending GWS falling down the ladder.

GWS Giants Offseason Player Movement

Joseph Fonti (No.44 draft pick), Phoenix Gothard (No.12 draft pick), James Leake (No.17 draft pick), Harvey Thomas (No.59 draft pick, Academy), Nathan Wardius (Category B rookie, Academy)

OUT

Phil Davis (retired), Cameron Fleeton (delisted), Matt Flynn (free agent, West Coast), Jason Gillbee (delisted), Daniel Lloyd (retired)

GWS Giants Predicted Round 1 Squad

Full Back	Jack Buckley	Sam Taylor	Connor Idun
Half Back	Lachie Ash	Harry Himmelberg	Lachie Whitfield
Centre	Finn Callaghan	Tom Green	Harry Perryman
Half Forward	Toby Bedford	Jake Riccardi	Brent Daniels
Full Forward	Callum Brown	Jesse Hogan	Toby Greene
Followers	Kieren Briggs	Josh Kelly	Stephen Coniglio
Interchange	Isaac Cumming	Callan Ward	Aaron Cadman
	Xavier O'Halloran	Ryan Angwin (sub)