Round 19
Greater Western Giants v Gold Coast Suns
The Orange Jumper Cup
Orange Contenders v Orange Pretenders (they wore blue for this match)
The two Orange Teams have very little in common
Since the inception of the Giants and the Suns, most believe they have a lot in common, and they have walked a parallel path over the last decade, but such sentiment ignores the inroads into the competition the Giants have made for legitimacy, while the Suns have struggled for any semblance of success and relevancy in the AFL.
In the Giants’ first final series in 2016 they fell just short in the Preliminary Final, suffering the same fate in 2017 for the second year running. In 2018 the Giants again made the finals, losing in a Semi Final, but the following year the club finally made it through to their first Grand Final, only to be flogged by a rampant Tigers. In 2021, the Giants lost another Semi Final, and last season the GWS fell narrowly short in the Preliminary Final to the eventual Premiers.
True to their theme song, the Giants have made a Big Big Sound since their arrival in the AFL, with a Grand Final Runners-Up, three Preliminary Finals and two Semi-Finals, and it should be noted they have won at least one final every year they have made the finals.
Now let’s compare the Giants record to the Suns, or it may be better we don’t, given their culture of mediocrity since inception. The Suns have failed to leave mark in the AFL and are yet to bother the statisticians with any September action.
Apart from being the last two teams into this competition, and both clubs sporting orange in their jumpers, the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Gold Coast Suns have very little in common.
While the Suns have been impressive this year winning every home match, as well as two matches in the Norther Territory, they have been easy beats away from their northern enclaves. Improvement, yes, but still a long way from September action.
In keeping with the Suns tradition of mediocrity, Saturday July 20th marks the day the bottom fell out of their 2024 season.
What is this Match – the Orange Contender v the Orange Pretender?
A simple answer to the above question is an emphatic yes, with the Suns being the pretenders, while the Giants are right back in season 2024 with a real chance of breaking through for their first Premiership.
Bad Kicking is Bad Football
The theme for this match was set early when the Giants slammed on five straight goals to the Suns two goals and four behinds for the first quarter. By game’s end the Giants maintained their accurancy, while the Suns continued to miss easy shots to put paid to any chance they may have had in this game.
With 19 scoring shoots the Giants booted 14.05.89 to the Suns 6.14.50 from 20 scoring shots.
While Ben King couldn’t hit the side of a barn from set shots in this match, finishing with three behinds, his counterpart up the other end, Jesse Hogan, dominated the match with four goals and one behind. Ben King is having a good season 2024 with 45 snags, but he just had a shocker at Engie Stadium, with a bad case of the ‘yips’.
King and Hogan were both second in the race for the Coleman Medal at the start yesterday’s match but come the end of the game Hogan has jumped to equal first alongside Charlie Curnow.
Jesse Hogan was ably supported by Toby Greene and Brent Daniels (in his 100th match), who both kicked two goals, while the Giants’ small forwards and midfielders were all dangerous, and more importantly, accurate around the sticks.
Special mention to Toby Greene, who is working himself into form this season after a slow start to the year. The Suns made a solid charge in the second quarter to get within a goal, but it was Toby Greene who sealed the win for the Giants with a goal just before halftime followed a spectacular over the shoulder snap for the first of the third quarter. Toby Greene’s ability to instinctively know the right moment to impose his will on a game is what separates him from the surrounding players. Toby is a superstar of the game.
As stated earlier, Ben King didn’t have his best day in front of goal, but I am not putting all the onus on King for the defeat. The Suns, away from home, do not have players who can pick up the slack when King is having a bad day. The leading goal kicker for the Suns was Jack Lukosius with two goals, while the remaining four goals were all singles to Long, Weller, Humphrey and Sexton.
Away from People First Stadium, the Suns midfielders and small forwards do not go forward often enough and impact the scoreboard, especially in the absence of Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts in the ruck. Sam Flanders (43 possessions), David Swallow (28 possessions), Noah Anderson (27 possessions), Matty Rowell (20 possessions), as well Sam Clohesy and Nick Holman, who in total had 138 possessions between them could only manage a solitary behind for the match. Most clubs would expect at least five to six goals a week from their midfielders and running players, so while the numbers are impressive for the players listed, they are not applying enough pressure forward of the ball to impact the scoreboard.
Sam Flanders did play a blinder of a game with 43 possessions, and to his credit he has lifted his game since Miller has been out injured. I’ve reviewed my fair share of Suns matches this year and last, and Flanders is often the player left out of the conversation by many when the strength of the Suns midfield is mentioned. Flanders is a very underrated footballer who can go in and get the hard ball, while he is just as and dangerous influential on the outside. Flanders is to the Suns what James Rowbottom is to the Swans.
I can’t mention Flanders’ game without mentioning Lachie Whitfield who had 40 possessions of his own with an 80 percent efficiency rating. I cannot remember the last time I witnessed a game where two players had 40 plus possessions apiece.
Can the Giants win the Premiership in 2024?
For the Giants to win the flag this year, they must first finish in the top four. As impressive as they were last season making the Preliminary Final, the season was just (and I mean just) one game too long. Depending on the results of games on Sunday, the Giants may well be in the top four at the end of this round, but they must maintain their current form for the rest of the season.
The Giants do not have an easy draw heading into the finals, with all five games against other teams who are either fighting for a top four spot or a finals spot, so they will need to be on.
Next weekend, the Giants travel to the MCG to take on the Demons in a game that will be pivotal for both clubs.
What is a pass mark for the Suns in 2024?
Mathematically the Suns can still make the finals, but the reality is season 2024 will not be the year they make it, so what is a pass mark?
At the beginning of the year, Damien Hardwick stated he had 80 percent of his team in place to challenge for a Premiership, which in hindsight seems like a fair appraisal. While Dimma probably didn’t really expect his team to be part of September this year, he has got very frustrated with what the Suns have left out on the park this year, especially away from home.
A winning season of 12 games would be considered a pass mark for the Suns, but it won’t be easy as they have three games away from home. Maybe it is about time the Suns learn to win away before 2025.
My fear for the Suns this year is the bottom falls out their season as they now realise finals are out of contention. It is imperative the Suns use the remainder of the season for preparation for season 2025.
Next week is the Q Clash at the Suns fortress People First Stadium.
