Greater Western Sydney's Kingsley Likens Hawthorn to Giants' Last Season
Giants and Hawks Clash in Intriguing Matchup
GREATER Western Sydney coach Adam Kingsley sees striking similarities between his current opponents, Hawthorn, and his own team's remarkable run to the preliminary final last season.
Hawthorn's Resurgence Mirrors Giants' 2023 Rise
The Giants and Hawks will face off in a highly anticipated clash on Sunday in front of a sold-out Canberra crowd. Sam Mitchell's Hawks have won an impressive 11 of their past 14 games, mirroring the Giants' exact record after missing out on the Grand Final by a narrow margin to Collingwood in 2023.
Momentum Building for Hawthorn
Kingsley believes that Hawthorn's recent performances and momentum are eerily reminiscent of the Giants' success last season. "They're playing a good brand of footy that challenges everyone," Kingsley said. "They've been fantastic the last three months, and they've already knocked us off this year."
Giants Setback with Riccardi Injury
GWS suffered a setback with the news that key forward Jake Riccardi will miss the remainder of the home and away season due to finger surgery. Young forward Max Gruzewski or Lachie Keeffe are potential replacements for Riccardi, who also played a significant role in the second ruck duties.
Kelly to Return, Coniglio's Shoulder a Concern
Josh Kelly is expected to return from a calf injury next week against Brisbane, while Stephen Coniglio's shoulder remains an ongoing concern. Coniglio is in need of surgery but has chosen to play through the discomfort. He remains uncertain for the Brisbane game as he works to strengthen his shoulder joint.
Solid Midfield Support Needed in Coniglio's Absence
Finn Callaghan and James Peatling stepped up against Melbourne in Kelly and Coniglio's absence. Kingsley has emphasized the importance of continued strong performances from them to support Tom Green in the midfield.
Tough Run-In for Giants
The Giants are in a strong position, sitting fifth on the ladder, but they face a demanding schedule in the remaining weeks of the season. They will take on Hawthorn, Brisbane, Fremantle, and the Western Bulldogs. "The last month will make or break our season," said Kingsley. "We're playing arguably the four most in-form teams in the comp."
Home-Ground Advantage in Canberra
The Giants will be hoping to draw inspiration from another sold-out crowd at Manuka Oval. "Each game this year there has been sold out, that's fantastic. We love playing down there," said Kingsley. "The fans are terrific, the surface is the best in the AFL, it's going to be another really good game down there."