No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman is firmly in the mix for an AFL debut as GWS coach Adam Kingsley demands a tougher performance from his players against Hawthorn.
Kingsley delivered a withering spray to the group at three quarter-time in the Giants’ loss to Essendon last week, later lamenting their “pretty ordinary” hunt and contest work.
Both were key areas the first-year coach targeted when talking up the return of the ‘Orange Tsunami’ in pre-season, and are a huge focus leading in to Sunday’s clash with the Hawks.
“I just didn’t think our effort was at our usual level, plain and simple,” Kingsley reflected on Wednesday after his side’s third-straight defeat.
“Whether it was a spray or just an open and honest conversation, albeit a one-way conversation, obviously yelling and screaming doesn’t get a lot of result if it becomes a habit.
“It’s certainly not part of my coaching habit, but every now and then I think the guy’s need to know that (aspects of their performance) are unacceptable.”
Kingsley expects the Giants to rebound against Hawthorn, with the teams set to meet on neutral turf at Norwood Oval as part of the league’s Gather Round feature.
Wet weather is forecast, putting greater emphasis on the contest and effort Kingsley has highlighted.
“It is going to be a battle and we’re expecting one,” he said.
“Hawthorn have a lot of youth in their team, a lot of exuberance, and they’re playing the right way from what I’ve seen.
“We’ll have to play our best footy to beat them.”
Promising 195cm prospect Cadman was on stand-by against Essendon as a travelling emergency amid fitness concerns over Jesse Hogan, who had a sore quadriceps.
Hogan played, but was held goalless, and has since been cleared to take on Hawthorn.
Jake Riccardi also went without a major against the Bombers, while fellow tall forward Harry Himmelberg booted three.
Cadman is edging closer to forcing his way into the GWS line-up on the back of strong VFL showings early in his first season at senior level.
“He’s been close the whole way,” Kingsley said.
“He’s still close and with Jeremy Laidler, his forwards coach, we’ll discuss the best options, run it through match committee and see what we think.”
Teenage defender-midfielder Josh Fahey is also a chance to debut after gathering a game-high 37 disposals in the Giants’ VFL win over Coburg.
Xavier O’Halloran (25 disposals, 11 clearances) and ruck Kieren Briggs (25, 16) are also in the selection mix as Kingsley seeks more grunt around stoppages.
