The Giants know they have a “perfect opportunity” to make a statement when they open their season against reigning premier Collingwood in 23 days.
Not only is it a shot at retribution – to some degree – given the Magpies cruelly ended GWS’ 2023 season by one point in a preliminary final thriller. It’s also Adam Kingsley’s side’s chance to test itself against the benchmark of the competition and prove last year’s unexpected rise was no aberration.
Of course, losing a prelim by the narrowest of margins is never easy, let alone watching the club that beat you go on to win the premiership.
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Speaking to foxfooty.com.au last week, Giants young gun Finn Callaghan said the club had taken plenty away from the heartbreaking result as it looks to make amends in 2024.
It would be especially sweet given the growing rivalry between the two clubs, sparked by their recent preliminary final match-ups plus Mason Cox’s dig made about the Giants’ home ground late last year – which the club’s CEO called “D-grade comedy at best”.
“It was a super tough loss to come so close to the Pies (in the preliminary final). We really thought we had the team to go all the way,” Callaghan said.
“We took a lot from that and are really confident we can go a few steps further this year. As soon as we got back to the club, we reviewed it really well, went over where we can improve and moved past it pretty quickly.
“It’s a perfect opportunity to face the Pies again Opening Round this year. It’ll be a good test to see where we’re at because they ended up being the benchmark last year.
“We’re looking to get one back on them, for sure.”
Though the Giants didn’t advance to the premiership decider, they lost no admirers from the AFL world in a bitter end to an otherwise dreamy season.
Coming from the bottom three the previous year and starting slow out of the gates in 2023 under new coach Kingsley, GWS charged home in the second half of the season to a deep finals run few saw coming.
It makes the Giants’ 2024 prospects somewhat unpredictable in the always ultra competitive flag race. But internally, the club is confident it can get back to the same heights as last year and sees itself on the same level as the chief premiership contenders like Collingwood and Brisbane.
“We want to be the best team we can be – we don’t hide from that – we have real belief. We think our system stacks up against the best and that we play the right way,” Callaghan said.
“We also know it’s a new season and we start from scratch like every other team. So there’s no point talking, it’s all actions that matter from here on in.”
As for Callaghan, the 20-year old has the tools to breakout into a bona fide star of the competition in 2024 after a strong second season.
Missing most of his first year due to a foot injury, the former Pick 3 consolidated his spot in Kingley’s team on the wing in 2023 – he averaged 20.8 disposals and 4.6 marks from 21 games.
Having enjoyed a strong pre-season and slated to spend more time on ball, Callaghan will look to go from strength to strength this season.
“I’ll be a bit more in the midfield this year, but we honestly haven’t spoken too much about specific roles just yet. We’re only just starting to go into match sim,” Callaghan added.
“Me and Josh Kelly have a bit of a 50-50 split between midfield and wing, so we’re always swapping between those roles.
“But really, I’ll play wherever the coach wants to put me. I’m just looking forward to getting out there, putting my best foot forward and helping the team win.”
Standing at 192cm, Callaghan has the physical attributes to be the star big-bodied, modern prototype star on-baller – in the mould of a Patrick Cripps or Marcus Bontempelli – but with a powerful running game to back it up.
In terms of AFL stars he’s modelling his game on moving forward, Callaghan acknowledged his gun midfield teammates at the Giants, but admitted he still keeps a close eye on Bontemelli, having been a Bulldogs fan growing up.
“I’m pretty lucky here at the club, I’ve got Josh Kelly, who’s been a champion of the game for a long time, so I learn off him each day and he’s been brilliant for me since I got to the club,” Callaghan said.
“I’m lucky to have Tom Green, one of the best contested ball players in the competition, who I go against every day. We love training against each other and competing … that’s a part of the game I really want to improve in.
“I’ve said this before, but I love the way ‘Bont’ goes about it. I used to be a Bulldogs fan growing up, so I’m always watching him.
“I want to be my own player, but you can take bits and pieces out of everyone else’s game. There’s so many champions, if I try and replicate what they do, I’ll be on the right path.”
Callaghan also provided an insight into Giants skipper Toby Greene’s leadership style after the polarising star was named captain of last year’s All-Australian side.
The 26-gamer believes Greene’s ability to “lead by example” – whether it’s at training or in big moments – is his strongest trait, and though a man of few words, Greene commands respect when he has something to say.
“(Greene’s) pretty quiet and speaks when the time is right. Of course, when he speaks, everyone always listens,” Callaghan noted.
“He’s certainly really well respected by every single person and he always treats everyone really nicely. He’s great with our first-year boys and always gets around dinners and things like that.
“He’s just a really good person and we’re really lucky to have him at the football club. I couldn’t speak higher of him.”
