GWS CEO Dave Matthews expects his club to be a big player in this year’s trade period.
Looking back to last season, the Giants traded out the likes of Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Bobby Hill, Tanner Bruhn and multiple picks to bring in Pick No. 1 which turned into Aaron Cadman as well as picks 15, 18, 19, 31 and a future first-round selection (tied to Richmond).
After hitting the draft in a big way last season while holding multiple first-round selections in 2023, Matthews was asked whether the Giants would again look to move up the draft order this time around.
“I think Jase (McCartney) has done a great job in actually putting us in positions where we're sort of watching and waiting for an opposition club's early pick,” Matthews told SEN Crunch Time.
“We're lucky that we had that pick from Collingwood (pick No.3, 2021) the year where they finished low.
“Richmond's having not their best season, but that’s against a very, very high mark in recent years as we know.
“The short answer is you can never have too many early picks, it's what you do with them and what you convert them into.
“Last year what we achieved in the trade period is potentially achievable again.
“We'll be aggressive again.”
As well as attacking the draft, another big item on the checklist for GWS this off-season is the future of free agent Harry Himmelberg.
While Himmelberg remains unsigned at this stage and would have a raft of suitors if he chooses to depart the Giants, Matthews says the club are very confident in keeping the 27-year-old at the club.
“We're also very confident that we’ll retain Harry Himmelberg,” Matthews said.
“He’s an academy product and a critical part of our culture and our club.
“He’s obviously a very talented player, so we’re optimistic there.”
Used in a variety of positions throughout his career, Himmelberg has kicked 159 goals from his 137 games so far for the club.