GWS Giants have cleared out a series of experienced players to allow the youth to take over from 2027.
It's not a rebuild in the true sense; rather, it's an opportunity for the highly-touted youngsters who have come in, of which there have been many, to take more of a central role.
Notwithstanding, the Giants will likely ensure they nab Academy talent Cooper French next year; this year is the last they will likely hit the draft hard, given Tasmania is on the radar.
Picks: 9, 20, 26, 59, 77, 86, 104
Alongside top Academy talent Ethan Matthews, the Giants are expected to take three other players this year, two of which will be in the top 30.
The Giants have specific types of players they often target and are unafraid to deviate from consensus.
Having picks 9 and 20 is more than enough to match a bid for Matthews and, given where a bid is likely to come, their pick 20 should not fall back too far from its current position.
List needs
Key forward: Aaron Cadman looks like he is set for a breakthrough in 2027 after being selected with Pick 1 in the 2021 draft - but he needs support. Jake Riccardi can provide that in the medium term, but following the departures of Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer, GWS lack some depth in that area of the ground. Max Gruzewski is another who has been afforded opportunities, but he is more of a third tall than a genuine key-position talent.
Key defender: GWS has done well to draft several top-end players in recent years while still remaining reasonably competitive and has addressed just about every area of the ground - except tall defenders. With Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley and Connor Idun, they are set for the short to medium term, but adding a player to develop in the background would be a sensible move.
Potential targets
Ethan Matthews: The best Academy talent since Tom Green has to be the priority for the Giants to sign. A ball-winning transition midfielder, injury cut short his National Championships, but by that point he had already proven his potency by foot and ability to cover the ground. Will likely start half-back, but has shown versatility at National Championships, Talent League and VFL level.
Xavier Ladbrook: If the Giants are after a key defender, Ladbrook is one who is likely to be in their range, with Clancy Snell, Tyson Bradley and Mitch Harris to be off the board before they enter the AFL Draft. He also suits their pacy style, always looking to take off with his daring ball movement and counterattack by foot, which he mixes with competitiveness and intercepting. Would be a project-type player, though, as he still needs to put size on.
Jack Pickett: Pending where a bid comes for Matthews, Pickett may still be available. Sam Gayfer is the best key forward in the draft but will be off the board by the Giants' first live pick. Pickett missed the year with an ACL and MCL injury but was trending to be a top-10 talent as a strong marking key forward.
George Dimer: Noise at different times of the year has linked the Giants with Dimer, and he is a very 'Giantsy' player with his clean skills, speed and up-tempo excitement inside 50. He is also a highly regarded character who would be a perfect addition during the Giants' reset.
Alex Mirkov: GWS has committed to taking mature-aged former AFL-listed Mirkov after losing Kieren Briggs in the AFL player movement period.
