Greater Western Sydney have experienced a fickle season, but Justin Leppitsch believes with a touch of tactical tinkering, the Giants’ midfield is primed to take them back to the top.
Leon Cameron's men started the season with three consecutive losses, drew with North Melbourne and lost to Hawthorn, but managed to vanquish top four team Melbourne, and sit inside the eight.
“I think that happens with GWS,” Leppitsch told SEN’s Whateley.
In their (scoring from) turnover game, they’re 16th in the competition.
“In the eight, they stand alone near the bottom of the table in the turnover differential.
“They haven’t mastered that part of the game, which I think is what makes them a little inconsistent.
“I think they’ve got the most talented midfield of any team in the competition, if you just put all those names on paper.”
Cameron can count on three rugged extractors in Callan Ward, Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto.
Outside that trio, winger Lachie Whitfield was dubbed ‘The Conductor’ by Garry Lyon on Monday, after notching 35 disposals in the Giants’ win over Essendon.
“The Conductor is a genius,” Lyon proclaimed to SEN Breakfast.
“Lachie Whitfield just conducts a game like no-one else in footy. He pushes blokes here and there, he goes inside and outside.
“He is a superstar.”
“He’s their driving force now,” Tim Watson agreed.
Former No. 2 pick Josh Kelly can similarly play on the inside and outside, while 20-year-old Tom Green is averaging 21.1 disposals and 4.4 clearances in just his second season.
Skipper Stephen Coniglio will further strengthen the rotation when he returns, having been limited by lower leg injuries to just four games for the year.
“I don’t even know how you fit that amount of talent into one part of the ground, because some have to play wing and often wingers are role players,” Leppitsch continued.
“That’s where (Harry) Perryman comes in at times, then you have a young (Brent) Daniels who comes in and plays roles.
“They’ve got a really thick, talented midfield, so I don’t think they’d wish for anything more in that part of the ground.
“It’s just getting that turnover battle right. That’ll jump them from a mid-pack team to a top team.”