GWS’ work is far from done despite making the AFL finals following a rocky 0-3 start to the season, Giants coach Leon Cameron says.
The Giants will go into Saturday’s elimination final against Sydney in Launceston as slight underdogs, and are not expected to make a serious challenge for the premiership from seventh.
But Cameron does not subscribe to the theory that GWS should simply be pleased to qualify for finals after injuries and overflowing drama from an underwhelming 2020 season threatened to derail the club.
GWS secured their finals spot with three-straight wins, including a memorable upset of Geelong at the Cats’ GMHBA Stadium fortress.
“We’ve got everything to lose, we’re in a cutthroat final, we’re the same as (minor premiers) Melbourne,” Cameron said.
“We’ve got as much to lose as Melbourne, Geelong, Port and Sydney.
“We know we’ve been playing cutthroat finals for the last three weeks and we’ve got another (on Saturday).
“We’ll be very disappointed if we can’t rock up and perform at a level that is required to play finals footy.
“Being 0-3 is always a bit daunting, especially when you get some injuries, like we did in that round three game, but other players get opportunities.”
It will be the third time the Sydney rivals have faced off in a final, with the Giants comfortably winning both previous encounters in 2016 and 2018.
GWS will be boosted by the return of young gun midfielder Tom Green, while captain Stephen Coniglio is right to go after being used as the medical sub in last week’s victory over Carlton.
The Giants will be hoping to gain an advantage in the middle, with the Swans to be without key onballers Callum Mills (Achilles) and Josh Kennedy (hamstring).
Sydney coach John Longmire has recalled explosive youngster Chad Warner for his first senior game since round 12.
But GWS will have their work cut out trying to control a Swans forward line containing superstar Lance Franklin, All-Australian Tom Papley and the electric Isaac Heeney.
In a somewhat surprising call, the Giants have opted to leave former co-captain Phil Davis as an emergency and back in younger defenders.
Isaac Cumming, Connor Idun, Lachie Ash and Jake Stein will all be on finals debut after not being a part of the Giants’ run towards the 2019 grand final.
The winner will face the loser of Friday night’s clash between Port Adelaide and Geelong in a sudden-death semi-final next weekend.
AAP
