The 2026 AFL season is just around the corner, with the Opening Round officially starting on Thursday, March 5 at the SCG. Here at the Huddle, we’re running our eye over all 18 AFL teams to predict what the year ahead holds for every footy club.
We’ll analyse squad depth, ins and outs, premiership hopes and a predicted finish for each club.
GWS have spent the Adam Kingsley era building towards becoming a premiership threat, but never quite being there when the whips are cracking.
But 2026 is looking bright for Westies, Tom Green had a breakout 2025 and the Giants boast one of the most dangerous goal scoring units in the league, featuring Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman and Jake Stringer.
Last year’s elimination finalists the GWS Giants have also added a certified superstar to their midfield stocks in Clayton Oliver, will this be the final piece of the premiership puzzle?
Find out below in our GWS Giants 2026 season preview.
GWS Giants Players 2026
The Giants have a reputation for replacing superstars with ease, and while they’ve lost some serious veteran leadership this year, the arrival of a four-time Melbourne Best and Fairest winner has the Western Sydney faithful buzzing.
GWS Giants Key Signings and Draftees
The headline act is undoubtedly Clayton Oliver. After a tumultuous end to his time at the Melbourne Demons, Clarry moves to the Giants until 2030 on a favourable deal that sees the Demons paying a portion of his salary.
He is joined by former Bomber Jayden Laverde, who arrives to bolster GWS’s defence.
On the youth front, the Giants picked up speedster Oskar Taylor (pick 15) and defender Finnegan Davis (pick 51) at the national draft.
GWS Giants Players Lost
It’s the end of an era in Western Sydney with the retirement of foundation Giant Callan Ward and veteran Lachlan Keeffe.
The club also bid farewell to Jacob Wehr, who headed to Port Adelaide, while Wade Derksen and Josh Fahey were delisted by the club.
GWS Giants Main Man
Toby Greene
If Tom Green is the engine of the GWS Giants, Toby Greene is the heart and soul. The 32-year-old captain and All-Australian is a fan-favourite and the ultimate competitor.
Despite this, he is public enemy number one whenever he plays away from home, showing just how important he is to GWS’ success.
While some might see his 15th season as the beginning of a sunset tour, those inside the club believe he is ready to defer just enough to elevate the Giants to a maiden flag.
Greene’s value isn’t just scoring goals from anywhere, though he remains a nightmare to match up on. It’s in his passion, unrivalled sledging on the field and ability to scrap for just about anything.
As the Giants enter 2026, Greene’s role may subtly shift. With rising stars like Aaron Cadman emerging as focal points, the skipper can use his elite footy IQ to distract defenders and create space for the next generation.
However, don’t expect him to fade into the background; when a match is on the line in the fourth quarter, every Giants fan knows the ball is going to find number four.
The now veteran Toby Greene has the ability to find an extra gear when the team is under fire. If he has anywhere close to a career best season, expect the Giants to make a run deep into the finals.
GWS Giants Draw Difficulty Rating
The Giants can count themselves lucky with their draw in 2026.
They have two chances at revenge against Hawthorn Hawks, who knocked them out of contention in 2025. With double ups also against Gold Coast, St Kilda, Essendon and West Coast.
Two local derbies against the Sydney Swans round out a relatively cruisy set of fixtures.
Another significant advantage for Adam Kingsley’s men is the home-ground advantage, they have a very favourable run at Engie stadium early on.
If they can turn their home ground into a fortress again, they could have a top six position locked away by mid-season.
Difficulty rating: Easy.
GWS Giants Season Prediction 2026
Is 2026 the year that GWS finally accomplish what many thought they would several years ago?
On paper, they have the talent to blow any opposition off the park. Their defence anchored by Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley and Connor Idun remains one of the league's most effective units.
In the middle, Tom Green has risen to become arguably the best contested-ball winner in the league and his partnership with boom recruit Clayton Oliver could provide a legendary one-two punch if these two can make it work together, opposition rucks might as well just hand over possession now.
The trajectory of Aaron Cadman is a major reason for optimism. After kicking 44 goals last season, he is poised to hit the 50 or 60 goal mark and potentially take the pressure from Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene, opening up more avenues for attack.
The combination of Cadman and Greene taking the pressure off, sees Jesse Hogan as a frontrunner to win a second Coleman Medal in 2026.
If Jake Stringer can stay fit and Finn Callaghan continues his evolution into an elite midfielder, the Giants' ceiling is as high as anyone's in the competition.
With a statistically favourable draw, they’re perfectly placed to secure a second chance crack at the finals
This might just be the year we get to hear that big, big sound from the West of the town.
Predicted finish: 3rd.
GWS Giants Predicted Round 1 Team
FB: Connor Idun, Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley
HB: Lachie Whitfield, Harry Himmelberg, Lachie Ash
C: Xavier O’Halloran, Clayton Oliver, Ryan Angwin
HF: Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Callum Brown
FF: Brent Daniels, Aaron Cadman, Jake Stringer
FOLL: Kieren Briggs, Tom Green, Finn Callaghan INT: Leek Aleer, Harry Rowston, Jake Riccardi, Toby McMullin, Joe Fonti
Note: Josh Kelly (hip) and Darcy Jones (knee) are expected to miss the start of the season.
*Odds are subject to change.