GWS suffered their third defeat of the season on Sunday afternoon at the hands of Essendon, with the Bombers running out 13-point winners under the roof at Marvel Stadium.
The Bombers were wasteful in front of goal throughout the clash, kicking 11.22, holding just a six point margin at the final break.
During the three-quarter time break, GWS coach Adam Kingsley delivered a passionate and forceful address to his players, imploring them to "get to work" after being outworked by their opponents on the field.
Kingsley didn't mince his words, telling reporters after the game that the Giants were "getting beaten in the contest" and were not working hard enough to get the ball. He credited the Bombers for their slick skills and ability to hold balance around the contest, which enabled them to access the corridor and create better scoring opportunities.
The coach emphasised the importance of improving in this area, speaking to media post-game.
"Ultimately, that was the messaging, 'let's be better in the contest'," Kingsley said.
"The first part of that quarter wasn't great, but then we responded."
Kingsley's on-field address was particularly notable because he admitted it was the first time he had spoken to the players in that manner since taking charge of the team. However, he emphasised that he always aims to be honest and direct with his players, saying, "I'm not going stuff around, I'm going to let them know what's going on in the game, and what's required to change it around. I do that at every break."
In other news, Kingsley revealed that No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman is getting closer to making his debut for the team. Although the coach was uncertain about whether Cadman would play next week or further down the line, he praised the young player for his dedication and hard work, saying, "He's been training really well, and we're excited about what he can bring to the team."
Meanwhile, Jesse Hogan, who was replaced by Cadman as an emergency due to a tight quad, was able to get through the match without any issues. The Giants will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat and continue to work hard in training as they strive for success in the upcoming games.
