What’s in store for the Orange team this year. We know there’s a wealth of Premium Defenders at GWS. There’s a Breakout from last season that could go even further, and a few cheap players that could fill out some spots on difficult lines. “There’s a big, big sound from the west of the town. It’s the team of the mighty Giants.”
The Lock
Finn Callaghan ( Mid ) $605.500
The Breakout from last year was undoubtedly Finn Callaghan. His line breaking pace and ability to transition the ball from defense to attack was super impressive. In his last 10 games of 2026 he averaged a touch over 120. I see no reason Finn can’t bring this sort of form directly into this season. The new rules should only help him, so what are you waiting for ? Lock in Finn.
The Dark Horse
Steven Coniglio ( Mid) $ 321.100
2025 was unmitigated disaster for “Cogs” Was it his fitness ? A lack of confidence ? Is he just washed ? There’s certainly more questions than answers when it comes to this pick. All reports are he’s happy and has a “new lease on life ” Now we have all heard these kind of pre season reports before. For me role is everything, If he can get enough mid time with a mix of half Forward, he could be an interesting option. Could he get Fwd DPP in round 6 ? Certainly one to keep an eye on in pre season.
The Break out
Brent Daniels ( Fwd ) $ 300.300
Ok he has already kind of Broken out , but let’s try and keep this simple. In 2024 Brent played 20 games and averaged 90 SuperCoach points. That’s almost good enough for a F6 spot at only $300K. He’s easily best 23 when fully fit, so job security is not an issue. If he’s fit, he’s an option. I will personally be keeping a close eye on him when I attend the Giants Swans community series match on the 26 February. If he plays well, and has no major time on ground issues, he could make his way into a few sides. fingers crossed with this one.
The Rookie
No real rookies to speak of at GWS this year.
So that’s it for the GWS preview, let me know in the comments if there’s any other players you are considering from GWS
Thanks for reading
Cheers FT.
GWS like Geelong and Collingwood have never really been a SC relevant team for me and when I select players I normally get bitten. But more than happy to change that if there’s a few worthwhile rookies coming up.
What about Jack Ough
Jack is a big mid. $119.900 , but I think James Leake ( Def / Fwd ) $168.800 Could be just ahead of him.
Both may come into contention with the unfortunate news Tom Green looks to have done an ACL
I’m not going there but with Tom Green going down injured it may open up Cogs or even Clayton Oliver as decent picks (prob better options at $500k?)
Oliver (and Steele ) look to both now have secured midfield roles.
They could both be value at their respective prices. Cogs competing with Parish and Young ( that don’t have an early Bye ) for those precious midfield spots.
Lachie Ash caught my attention in the Origin game last night. Wasn’t really on my radar until HH posted his team. I might need to find some $$$
Agree, I have Ash ahead of Whitfield.
Might even have him ahead is NWM and Sinclair.
TU: Ash
TD: NWM
Ash over NWM to start for me, for two main reasons:
1. Oppo coaches had all summer to watch Nas footage, and he’s definitely going to be wearing any tag they think can keep up with him, or moves that they think will negate him.
2. I think his role will be more mid than def, and that’s going to change his SC output. Up or down? See point 1, and factor in no kick ins (I don’t have the figures, but I’ll guess he had 20%) – so my initial thought is down(ish) until he comes to terms with the new role.
Both points aside, he’s still going to be hugely influential on-field, I’m just wary of his SC potential early on – my own cloudy thoughts are that his price will drop, hopefully around the time that I’m looking to fill out my backline. He will still be in the D6 at season’s end.
Obviously now that I’ve expounded all of this, he’s the clear defender to take.
All the talk is NWM will be in the guts full time. Big change. Sure he played some matches in the midfield last year, but going in full time is a big step up.
I prefer to have a good look first, especially at his price tag, especially with a new ruckman, especially with (except Melb Round1) has a tough start against some gun midfields in GWS, Brisbane, Port and Crows.
We will know a lot more about him, Saints and his role.
Where, we know exactly what we will get from Ash.
D1 is a tough pick this year, I’m struggling to pick one of NWM, Sinclair, Ash and Whitfield. Hard to split them.
I started with, and kept Ash all year with the expectations of him being better value than Whitfield.
It didn’t happen.
Did Whitfield play in the Origin game ? ! ? ! …..
Careful it’s not pre-season addiction.
D1 is going to be Rozee for me…
For me it was never Ash vs NWM but Ash vs Sinclair as I think Sinclair is the better pick over NWM because he will have that HB role to himself.
But now with the Callaghan hip niggle I think I rather free up the extra $25oddk and pick Ash and then go Callaghan to Daicos.
Tom Green has ruptured his ACL, ruling him out for the entire 2026 season,
Now Callaghan has a hip niggle and is out of the preseason games.