“Gave them windburn”: The young guns who influenced the Giants in Lions demolition

GWS looked incredible in casting aside Brisbane by 54 points at Manuka Oval on Thursday night.

Adam Kingsley’s Giants dismantled the Lions by kicking nine goals to two after half-time to romp to their sixth win of the season which has them firmly entrenched in the top echelon of teams.

The Giants have been very impressive so far in 2024, but some critics were questioning the validity of their form considering they had only beaten the likes of North Melbourne, West Coast, Gold Coast and St Kilda before losing to Carlton. (They had also beaten Collingwood in Opening Round).

But they put any doubt to bed by ravaging the Lions in Canberra to further enhance their premiership credentials, attracting the praise of David King.

He was taken by the speed and power which resulted in a fifth score of 100 points or more from seven games this season.

“Sometimes you just get blown away with how a team is capable of playing,” King said on SEN Breakfast.

“They gave them windburn last night. My god, how fast were they.

“If you want to absolutely live what the ethos of the coach is, that was the performance of last night to say this is what they’re building towards.”

King loved what the young Giants produced, particularly debutant Darcy Jones, fellow small forward Harvey Thomas, who is only seven games into his career, and third-year midfielder Finn Callaghan.

He likened 20-year-old Jones to former teammate and North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey early in his sparkling career.

“The kids came in and looked unbelievable. Darcy Jones has become my new favourite player in eight minutes of footy,” King added.

“When Brent Harvey first came in he was that size and weight, he was fleet of foot and wanted to take all the risks in the world. You have to put his game into context - he had 15 touches and half off them were scores - young kids don’t come in and do that.

“He kicked two goals, he had four or five really good opportunities. I love him and they tell me there’s more to come. They’ve got a couple of others they’re keen to get into the team.

“Harvey Thomas is making a real name for himself as well as a youngster who is on the rise.

“Their senior players lead the way, no doubt. You’ve got to take your hat off to what they do. But their fleet-of-foot guys… Finn Callaghan decided to run last night, didn’t he move nicely.”

Co-host Kane Cornes was enamoured by what Callaghan produced in just his 32nd game to finish with 32 disposals, 614 metres gained and six inside 50s.

He also loved the fact that the Giants were able to overpower their rivals without three of their top players in the side.

“Where could he end up? The guy is 20 years of age,” Cornes said.

“With 32 disposals, massive metres gained, left foot, running power, I think he ends up (an) inside (midfielder) with his big body.

“Leek Aleer just comes in, the athletes that they’ve got, the speed.

“Without Toby Greene, without Sam Taylor - two top 10 players in the game, let alone top 10 in your own team - and without Stephen Coniglio, to do that was frightening against a team that played in a Grand Final last year.

“Their ball movement was unbelievable. That was a performance you look back on and go that’s when we knew this team was a real premiership shot.”

King concluded: “From late in the second quarter to the start of the last, they kicked 9.4 to 0.4.

“They smashed them. They kicked that 9.4 from only 22 inside 50s. That’s that ball movement you’re talking about.

“I keep saying it, punish is king in our game. If you can’t punish, you can’t play. They can punish.”

The Giants currently sit second on the ladder with a 6-1 record. They next meet Sydney in a derby at the SCG next Saturday in Round 8.