Greater Western Sydney 2023 AFL Preview & Predictions

<p>After a disappointing campaign that yielded only six wins, The Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants will attempt to pick up the pieces in 2023.</p> <p>After long-time and much loved head coach Leon Cameron stood down halfway through last season, the Giants have had to find a new full-time leader for the first time in nine years.</p> <p>Adam Kingsley is the man they have chosen to lead them forward, with this being his first role as a head coach after spending time as an assistant at both St Kilda and Richmond.</p> <p>Can Kingsley guide GWS back up the ladder, or do some harsh lessons await for the rookie coach and his team?</p> <p>For all the hottest Greater Western Sydney Giants’ tips and predictions ahead of the new season, read our GWS preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p><em><strong>Aaron Cadman (No.1 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Toby Bedford (Melbourne Demons)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Jason Gillbee (Category B rookie)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Nick Madden (Category B rookie)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Toby McMullin (No.34 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Max Gruzewski (No.22 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Darcy Jones (No.21 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Harry Rowston (No.16 draft pick)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GWS went into the 2022 AFL National Draft with the number one pick and decided to use it on Aaron Cadman.</p> <p>Cadman is considered to be one of the leading key forward prospects in the country, thanks to his exploits at NAB League level.</p> <p>The 19-year-old will be hoping to deliver on this promise and repay the faith shown in him by breaking his way into Adam Kingsley’s top 22 sooner rather than later.</p> <p>The other notable recruit joining Cadman at the Giants is small forward Toby Bedford.</p> <p>The former Demon is expected to slot straight into GWS’ forward line alongside Jesse Hogan and Brent Daniels.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong><em>Jarrod Brander (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Tanner Bruhn (Geelong Cats)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Matt de Boer (Retired)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Bobby Hill (Collingwood)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Jacob Hopper (Richmond Tigers)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Zach Sproule (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Jake Stein (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Tim Taranto (Richmond Tigers)</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>No fewer than four regulars have departed GWS for one reason or another.</p> <p>Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper have both decided to join Richmond meaning the Giants engine room will have a different feel to it this season.</p> <p>Meanwhile, opposition playmakers can rest a little easier knowing elite tagger Matt de Boer has officially retired from the game.</p> <p>The veteran who tirelessly quelled the influence of opposing team’s best players for over a decade has decided to hang up the boots after 223 games at the highest level.</p> <p>Finally, young midfielder Tanner Bruhn was used as a makeweight in a trade for Geelong’s first round draft pick.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong><em>Toby Greene</em></strong></p> <p>After being one of the Giants’ co-captains last year, gun forward Toby Greene has been named as the stand alone skipper ahead of the new season.</p> <p>How Greene handles this newfound solo responsibility will definitely be something to keep an eye on.</p> <p>The 29-year-old’s struggles with on-field discipline have been well documented and they are something he will need to keep in check if he is to effectively lead his team this season.</p> <p>While Greene is well known for his anger management issues there is also something else he is well known for - kicking a lot of goals.</p> <p>Since debuting with the Giants in 2012, Greene has kicked a staggering 265 goals in 191 games.</p> <p>This strike rate and the fact that he has played for GWS since their inception makes him the ideal candidate for the armband. How Greene handles this responsibility, however, remains to be seen.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Greater Western Sydney Giants’ Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Predicted finish: <strong>16th</strong></p> <p>A new coach, a new captain, a new season, what could possibly go wrong?</p> <p>Well, quite a lot actually. There’s no doubt there is an abundance of quality in this side, but both Leon Cameron and his interim replacement Mark McVeigh failed to get the best out of them.</p> <p>Can Adam Kingsley succeed where his predecessors failed? Or is this a chemistry issue not a coaching one?</p> <p>Elsewhere, how heavily will the losses of Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Matt de Boer be felt?</p> <p>There are more questions than answers for the Giants ahead of the new season and that is never a good thing.</p> <p>All in all, it’s feasible that GWS could go either up or down, but in reality, they will probably end up staying where they are.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Greater Western Sydney Giants’ Best 22</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>B:</strong> Nick Haynes, Harry Himmelberg, Isaac Cumming</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Connor Idun, Sam Taylor, Lachie Whitfield</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Lachie Ash, Josh Kelly, Harry Perryman</p> <p><strong>HF: </strong>James Peatling, Jake Riccardi, Toby Greene</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Toby Bedford, Jesse Hogan, Brent Daniels</p> <p><strong>Foll:</strong> Braydon Preuss, Tom Green, Stephen Coniglio</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Adam Kennedy, Callan Ward, Finn Callaghan, Daniel Lloyd</p>