2022 Best 22 – GWS Giants

With a midfield group that most clubs would kill for, the Giants need to cash in on that quality sooner rather than later. There are still genuine question marks around their forward line which wasn’t really rectified over the off season. You have to feel it’s finals or bust for Leon Cameron this year.

GWS Giants Best 22

The Giants defence looks mighty good on paper with some dour defenders and some attacking young guns. Sam Taylor is fast becoming one of my favourite players. He’s an excellent intercept defender and will be one of the best in a couple years. Phil Davis will be hoping he can get his body right as his team need him back there while Nick Haynes is super steady. Isaac Cumming, Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield will provide plenty of drive off the back flank while Connor Idun can play big or small back there when needed.

Braydon Preuss returns from injury to finally lead the Giants ruck department. If fit, he’s well ahead of Matt Flynn and Kieran Briggs but both are handy backup. Their midfield is stacked with stars ranging from the experienced Callan Ward to the young gun Tom Green.

Harry Himmelberg and Jesse Hogan will be the two focal targets up forward, with help from Jake Riccardi but it’s the smaller brigade that is a bit worrying at the moment. Toby Greene is set to miss a chunk of early footy through suspension and Brent Daniels is likely to miss most of the year with a foot injury. They will be thankful they didn’t let Bobby Hill go to the Bombers but are going to have to rely on players like Matt DeBoer or even Steven Coniglio or Tim Taranto up forward to plug some gaps.

Tanner Bruhn is a player who could see a lot of game time early while Greene is missing, or they could even try rookie Finn Callaghan up there to get some game time into the highly touted youngster.

James Peatling looks promising and could see some time down back, while recruit Jarrod Brander is a genuine utility who could plug gaps all over the ground.

CBA prediction

2021 CBA leaders (by average):

1. Shane Mumford
2. Jacob Hopper
3. Callan Ward
4. Matt Flynn
5. Kieran Briggs
6. Josh Kelly

The Oracle’s 2022 CBA prediction:

1. Braydon Preuss
2. Jacob Hopper
3. Callan Ward
4. Tim Taranto
5. Tom Green
6. Josh Kelly

Kick-in prediction

2021 kick-in leaders:

1. Isaac Cumming
2. Lachie Whitfield
3. Harry Perryman

The Oracle’s 2022 kick-in prediction:

1. Isaac Cumming
2. Lachie Whitfield
3. Lachie Ash