GWS rookie Phil Davis is bullish his club can get back into finals contention in 2023.
The Giants finished 16th on the ladder in 2022 after a prolonged period in finals contention (sans 2020), with coach Leon Cameron ultimately replaced by Richmond assistant Adam Kingsley.
Davis, a former captain of the club who has been rookie listed for 2023, believes last season was an aberration and that the club has enough young talent to carry them back up the ladder.
“I guess from our point of view last year was a bit of an anomaly in terms of where we finished compared to 2021 and previous form,” the veteran defender told SEN’s Sportsday.
“We’ve had a bit of a list change, but I guess we’ve been able to do, particularly since our Grand Final, is go to the draft with lots of high draft picks and get them in a I guess from our point of view a lot of them are now in the second, third or fourth year and I’m hoping they can continue to develop and help us take the next step on top of guys like Isaac Cumming, Harry Himmelberg going to another level, Sam Taylor, hopefully a fit Brent Daniels.
“If you look at pure talent there is plenty on the list. We probably just need to bring it together and probably play in a way that gives us the best way to compete.
“Collingwood have probably shown how you can go from rags to riches as quickly as possible.”
Davis says while all teams and players would feel they can be a finals contender at this time of the year, he can see GWS’ roadmap to September action.
“I see a path where our team, in particular our backline has a great mix these days and is very unheralded, but I think we’ve got a very nice mix. Depends if Harry Himmelberg stays back or goes forward I guess that’s up to Adam Kingsley,” he said.
“Our midfield is starting to look more balanced than it has, the forward line, we have the best one-on-one player in the competition (Toby Greene), we’ve probably just got to have more structure around him to give him a chance.
“Our small forwards, it’s been an area we’ve been trying to recruit for a long time and hopefully Brent Daniels is fit, Toby Bedford, we’ve got people who can run through there.
“So from that perspective I can see a path where it really comes together.
“One of the big things for us is hopefully Lachie Ash can take the next step, Conor Stone can play more regular football, Finn Callaghan can play some more football.
“I see a path where it really comes together. I think one thing people forget is when you’re at the pointy end for a while, you slowly lose key posts at your club – like Jeremy Cameron, Hopper, Taranto – just because of the equalisation measures.
“We’ve had to go from that position to go to the draft and we’re coming out the other side of that and these young blokes with lots of talent, hopefully it is their time to take up a fair bit of the load.”
The Giants lost midfield trio Jacob Hopper, Tanner Bruhn and Tim Taranto in the trade period, as well as small forward Bobby Hill.
Melbourne small forward Toby Bedford joins the club, with GWS also taking key forward Aaron Cadman with pick one in the National Draft, Harry Rowston at pick 16, Darcy Jones at 21 and Max Gruzewski at 22.