Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy is incredibly bullish about GWS’ chances in the medium term, saying they can win the flag in 2022.
The Giants lost the first three games of the current season, but have recovered somewhat to sit just one win outside of the top eight.
Leon Cameron’s side has been ravaged by injury this year, with the likes of captain Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene and Phil Davis all on the sidelines.
Healy said the Giants had “so much upside” in the coming months, saying he was impressed by the way they were playing despite missing several big names through injury.
“I think they can challenge for the flag next year,” he said on AFL Nation.
“I think they are one of the really talented sides in the competition, their injury list is huge at the present time and they’re still uncovering players.
“Sam Taylor we’ve known about and he’s gone to another level, although he’s out (injured at the moment).
“We’ve seen Jack Buckley (progress) and Connor Idun is a player who’s playing tall and small. Most people wouldn’t know Connor Idun is, but he’s an incredibly talented player.
“Their midfield with the addition of Tom Green could look one paced, but they’re not playing that way.
“They have so many outs, yet they have so much upside. I’d be surprised if they weren’t challenging for a top four spot next year with a full list.”
Healy said the Giants had a number of list management decisions to make before next season, most notably re-signing gun on-baller Jacob Hopper.
“Jacob Hopper is a huge signing they have to get and they have to get their salary cap under control,” he said.
“They can’t keep players in that team – like Gold Coast - by overpaying them.”