Preview 2025 Round 4 - GWS Giants vs West Coast Eagles, Sunday 6 April, 1:10 pm ENGIE Stadium

[Battlepants]

We'd really benefit from trying out a pure winger instead of Ward I think. Just for a few games to see if it helps us.
Angwin still injured but I'd throw Angove in for a debut against the Eagles

That wouldn't hurt as well. Angove definitely looked good in the practice match.

 

[BarryAglett]

If Ward gets sore and needs a rest, then sure, it's a great opportunity to bring in the next in line.
For me Ward is still a strong player and his class is still there. He was the player that hit up Keeffe for the winning goal a few weeks ago.

 

[Adam Giant]

Did you watch our game against Melbourne?

The one where he kicked 3.3 and had nearly 80% of his touches in our forward half? Yep, I saw it.

 

[Adam Giant]

I actually really like this idea of moving Daniels into the middle to play as a predominant midfielder. If we're going to have Thomas and McMullin sitting in the 2's I think it makes a lot of sense to have Daniels move into the mids and one of them can move into his forward spot.

Whatever gets him more involved should definitely be in our plans. He's such a good user that you don't want him having only 15 touches a game.

 

[JC100]

Whatever gets him more involved should definitely be in our plans. He's such a good user that you don't want him having only 15 touches a game.

A few years ago (maybe under Leon) his midfield minutes started to ramp up then he started pinging hammies so not sure if that’s why they are reluctant but if he was getting 25+ every game we wouldn’t be losing many games

 

[Giant Pete]

Fonti can come in for Stone if he shows another poor performance.

I'm giving benefit of doubt to all players last week although I maintain that our midfield is the weakest link against the best sides.

This is spot on. Go through all of our big game losses… the common denominator is our midfield has been beaten.

With the players we have, including Briggs, Green, Callaghan, Kelly, Snooze, Daniels, Tubs, etc we have enough talent to at least match clubs.
To me it seems like it is more a structural/strategic problem.
Kingers often uses “we need to learn our lesson”… when it comes to the midfield, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

 

[Giant Pete]

I’d have no issue with Ward having a rest.

 

[Colonial]

I’d have no issue with Ward having a rest.

No

 

[Maximus 2011]

I actually really like Stone in defence, I like his run and speed. The weekend wasn’t his best game but I thought he’s had some great highlights this year.

I haven't seen one game in his career where I feel safe when he is the one making a decision... Hopefully he proves me wrong but he's just not up to it. The last 2 games I have watched the opposition sag off him to make sure he is the one kicking which tends to tell you a lot

 

[Maximus 2011]

Agreed. He has moments but that’s it. Leave Toby in the forward 50. Daniels is so dynamic in centre clearances. Long term I’d having gothard come in to play small forward and release Daniels into the midfield would be ideal

The other change is like to see us make is stop Briggs getting clearances and get him to give it off. It’s normally a dump kick. Give it off to a mid to get clean ball.

Toby won us the game in the midfield in the last qtr of the Melbourne game

 

[MelbourneGWS]

XO is one of the most frustrating players I’ve ever seen. Incredible work rate, intensity, commitment, can produce some great pieces of play, pretty versatile, but his ball use, decision making and execution are so hit and miss. I actually thought watching the weekends game he could be thrown into defence to stay on a man. Don’t go chasing the footy, or trying to create play, let it come to you, and stay with your man. I wouldn’t mind it.

I love so much of what he brings but when everyone is fit, is he best 22? I don’t think I’ll ever know. One minute I think so, the next I don’t.

Given his contract expires this year, XO has a lot of incentive and motivation to have a career best season

 

[taurus]

Am I complaining too much about the ticket price? Just got a seat on the side, sec 252 for $68 plus $7.95 handling fee... Granted that it's considered better viewing angle but...

I doubt there would be a big crowd given that it's Wet Toast.

 

[PaythePerryman]

Am I complaining too much about the ticket price? Just got a seat on the side, sec 252 for $68 plus $7.95 handling fee... Granted that it's considered better viewing angle but...

I doubt there would be a big crowd given that it's Wet Toast.

I'm certain there are cheaper tickets than that

 

[Colonial]

Am I complaining too much about the ticket price? Just got a seat on the side, sec 252 for $68 plus $7.95 handling fee... Granted that it's considered better viewing angle but...

I doubt there would be a big crowd given that it's Wet Toast.

I’m sure there’s cheaper tickets, but in saying that with our struggles and it being the Eagles. Shouldnt be any ticket that costs that much.

 

[taurus]

I’m sure there’s cheaper tickets, but in saying that with our struggles and it being the Eagles. Shouldnt be any ticket that costs that much.

Yes there are cheaper tickets behind the goal posts. But even a bit adjacent to the posts are $40 if I remember correctly.

And what's with the handling fees, ffs!

 

[dlanod]

Won't be going, which shits me. I love to see us hand out thrashings, but I've got to be at Penrith for youth football at the same time. Sunday afternoons are such a stupid timeslot to give the Giants.

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Won't be going, which shits me. I love to see us hand out thrashings, but I've got to be at Penrith for youth football at the same time. Sunday afternoons are such a stupid timeslot to give the Giants.

Mind you, a positive by being on Sunday (for the first 10 rounds) is that this game will be live on Free To Air TV in NSW & ACT. If it was on a Saturday, it would be on delay on network 7 in NSW/ACT.

 

[Colonial]

All the media carry on with Allen could go either way for us.
Could blow up on them or unify them

Hopefully the former.

 

[BarryAglett]

All the media carry on with Allen could go either way for us.
Could blow up in them or unify them

Hopefully the former.

I would be expecting a strong response from them.

 

[Colonial]

I would be expecting a strong response from them.

They will come out hard and fast hoping to ambush us.

 

[Giant Strides]

MSN

A strength of theirs in 2024, the Giants have missed Jesse Hogan as a target to start 2025. The Giants average just seven marks inside 50 this season, ranked last, compared to last year's average of 13.1 which ranked them third.

However, their marking woes could end this week as they face a side that has failed to negate key forwards this season.

The Eagles currently allow 17.3 marks inside 50 per game this year, the highest rate in the league. West Coast have therefore allowed Suns tall forward Ben King to kick six, Brisbane young key Logan Morris to kick three, and let Fremantle's Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss combine for seven.

With GWS boasting Hogan back, as well as emerging talent Aaron Cadman to pair, if the Eagles cannot amend their defence it could be a bloodbath at ENGIE Stadium.

 

[Giant Strides]

 

[fridgeman]

Extedned squad for the sunday game

Callum Brown, Jake Riccardi and Toby McMullin have all been named in the 26-man squad.

 

[Giant Strides]

Well, most possible permutations that we fans have thrown up could all still come to fruition, as most of the possible outs are sitting on the extended bench: XOH, Keeffe, Stone, Ward, Wehr (plus the 3 ins).

 

[Battlepants]

Well, most possible permutations that we fans have thrown up could all still come to fruition, as most of the possible outs are sitting on the extended bench: XOH, Keeffe, Stone, Ward, Wehr (plus the 3 ins).

View attachment 2270844

Yep, that doesn't really tell us anything. Probably good, as it doesn't tell our opponents anything either.

See you all back here at 5pm tomorrow!