Club
Manly-Warringah
Key players
Key position goal kickers are like gold no matter which competition you play and the news that Brayden Fowler would be staying with the club was a boon for the club. The star full-forward kicked 82 goals from 19 games in 2014 and is a class above. With the departure of Lachlan Kilpatrick and Tyrone Armitage, one of their best performers in the Grand Final last year who will be important in providing drive forward of the centre this year is Anthony Robertson. It would be remiss to forget new club captain, Connor Pettersson who along with James Brain will be the generals in the midfield.
Star on the Rise
Coming off a broken leg in 2013, 18-year old, Jack Parker divided his 20 games evenly between Premier Division (including the Grand Final) and Under 19 Division One but expect him to spend a lot more time with the big boys this season. The talented youngster also had four hit-outs with the Swans in a jam-packed 2014. The small-forward/midfielder spot is open for the taking given the two departures named above.
Strengths
Are they any gaps across the ground for the GIANTS? If so, they hardly got exposed last year on the way to another premiership (second consecutive in Premier Division). They only lost one game in 2014 and did it on the back of a well-executed high-pressure game plan. They averaged 108 points a game in attack, and 40 points in defence- the best in both. The most under rated group of the side is their defenders who are no nonsense, get the job done players. Enough said.
Weaknesses
Scraping the barrel here but Kilpatrick and Armitage leave a vacancy in terms of pace and scoreboard impact. Combined they kicked 46 goals and contributed about 15% of Manly-Warringah’s score in 2014. No matter how good you are, that is a bit to replace.
Season defining month
The GIANTS will be the hunted this year and the hunt will start in earnest with a tricky first month to negotiate. The tipsters Grand Final preview will headline the Round 1 match-ups when they travel to Kanebridge Oval to take on the East Coast Eagles. That is followed by a chance to unfurl the premiership flag against Pennant Hills (a side they definitely have the wood over in the last two seasons). That is followed by a trip to UNSW/ES where they found it tricky to put the Bulldogs away in the corresponding clash last year, and a home clash against arch rivals North Shore. A good start will provide them with momentum heading into the mid-season break.
Notable Transfers
We have mentioned Kilpatrick and Armitage who head to the Northern Blues and have already made a good impression (see here). Thomas Thurgarland’s drive off the half-back will be sorely missed with his departure to Melbourne also. They seem to have done a good job covering their absence through the recruitment of;
Ethan Panizza (Claremont)- son of former Tigers & WA Hall of Fame player, Darrell. Fits the GIANTS mould, bringing speed and a defensive focus.
Cameron Livori (Old Essendon Grammar)- U23 VAFA (2012-13) and Senior VAFA representative (2014), brings versatility to the table with run and ability to play midfield/flank. He has a zero from six Grand Final record but if the GIANTS history is anything to speak of, he will finally get a premiership medallion sooner rather than later.
Jake Monk (North Shore)- Former Manly Bombers junior, ruled out due to injury from the U23 AFL Sydney Development Squad in 2014. He is a livewire small forward who brings 20+ games of Senior experience from North Shore.
Sam Batten (North Warrnambool)- The 24-year old, 186cm winger comes from a physical league and will add to the running mantra at the GIANTS.
Sam Rooney (Illawarra)- Tall forward option and former Ainslie junior, has the height to compliment Fowler.
Max Carter (Sydney University)- Former NEAFL player (including with the Swans Reserves) and 2013 Rising Star nominee has the resume to make an impact.
Danny Says
2nd
It’s hard to predict anything less than another Grand Final appearance for the all-conquering GIANTS. Every year we question whether they have the desire to climb the mountain and every year they prove any doubters wrong (that list is definitely diminishing and could be at zero now). They enjoy being the hunted and bullying opposition sides. They have every box ticked and all the ingredients and an extra motivating factor to prove they are better than the highly-rated East Coast. Back-to-back-to-back is a real possibility!
Last Modified on 08/04/2015 15:54
