{"id":277213,"date":"2025-11-11T08:09:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T08:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/277213\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T08:09:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T08:09:18","slug":"2025-afl-draft-preview-gws-giants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/277213\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 AFL Draft Preview: GWS GIANTS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                2025 AFL Draft Preview: GWS GIANTS<\/p>\n<p>                    <a class=\"article-meta\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/author\/michael_alvaro\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762848553_991_07f3325770d830aa95fc030f8c8859b8dc20db6430c6fe6e0c4cc1365e6689cd\"  class=\"avatar avatar-32 photo lazy\" height=\"32\" width=\"32\" decoding=\"async\"\/>                        Michael Alvaro<br \/>\n                    <\/a><\/p>\n<p>                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Oskar-Taylor-ER-2025-CTL.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/p>\n<p>HAVING achieved finals finishes in all three seasons under Adam Kingsley to date, Greater Western Sydney (GWS) is well poised to bolster its \u2018Orange Tsunami\u2019 style at the upcoming draft. The Giants lay claim to a first round selection and may only strike once, doing so around midway through night one.<\/p>\n<p>&gt;&gt; 100+ PROFILES: <a href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025-afl-draft-guide\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">View the 2025 AFL Draft Guide<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2025 RECORD:\u00a05th H&amp;A | 16-7 | 115.3% | Eliminated: Elimination Final<br \/>2025 PICKS:\u00a012, 35<br \/>FUTURE PICKS:\u00a0\u201926 R1, \u201926 R2, \u201926 R4 | \u201927 R1, \u201927 R2, \u201927 R3, \u201927 R4<br \/>ACADEMY PROSPECTS: Riley Hamilton, Jim Houston, Tallis McMillan \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>FIRST PICK:<br \/>Pick\u00a012<\/p>\n<p>The Giants have already jumped ahead two spots with their first pick after engineering a deal with the Western Bulldogs during trade period. It leaves them well poised to pounce on an athletic, prolific runner who can fill a list hole across half-back or the wing.<\/p>\n<p>Three names fit that mould. <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"154139\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/oskar-taylor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Oskar Taylor<\/a> is one who has consistently come up in reference to the Giants, with his dare, speed, and foot skills making him a genuine weapon off half-back. GWS isn\u2019t afraid to take a bolter either, although Taylor has now long been established in the first round bracket.<\/p>\n<p>Another heavily-linked prospect is <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"188470\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/jacob-farrow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jacob Farrow<\/a>. The leading West Australian will also likely cut his teeth off half-back but has potential to become a long-term midfielder. That factor, along with his smooth movement and raking left-foot have drawn comparisons to Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson.<\/p>\n<p>The third prevalent link is South Australian <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"136010\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/harley-barker\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Harley Barker<\/a>, who some clubs will be hoping slides into the 20-30 range. While he will miss much of his first year due to an ACL tear, he showed plenty as the All-Australian wingman with his speed and outside running ability, in the mould of Geelong\u2019s Ollie Dempsey.<\/p>\n<p>Outside of those three, a player which fits the list need would be <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"134540\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/josh-lindsay\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Josh Lindsay<\/a>. While not overly quick, he can break the lines and shift angles with his elite foot skills, both across half-back and the wing. The Geelong Falcons standout will be right in the Giants\u2019 hitting zone if they see fit.<\/p>\n<p>If not an outside runner, perhaps long-term key forward fold is in the offing for GWS. <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"134564\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/archie-ludowyke\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Archie Ludowyke<\/a> has been touted as a potential option here, moulding his game on fellow left-footed forward Aaron Cadman. His athleticism and upside suit the Giants\u2019 style, and he should be afforded time to develop.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"661\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Cameron-Nairn-Central-District-2025-SANFL-U18s-1024x661.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-188384 lazy\"  data-\/>Cameron Nairn shoots on goal | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/p>\n<p>REMAINING CROP:<br \/>Pick 35<\/p>\n<p>Poised to only make one or two selections, this choice comes down to whether any players are left on the Giants\u2019 draft board come their second pick. Perhaps a prospect like <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"173123\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/cameron-nairn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cameron Nairn<\/a> would suit if available. His running game and aerial ability as a forward\/wingman are highly promising.<\/p>\n<p>The Giants are also nicely placed to beat Melbourne to electric small forward <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"199563\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/latrelle-pickett\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Latrelle Pickett<\/a> \u2013 if he isn\u2019t snapped up on night one. Perhaps even a bid will be the move, with cross-town rivals Sydney having suitable types like <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"183343\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/harry-kyle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Harry Kyle<\/a> and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"134586\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/lachlan-carmichael\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lachlan Carmichael<\/a> in their Academy ranks.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on what happens with pick 12, another long-term recruit like <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"134637\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/sam-allen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sam Allen<\/a> could suit. He\u2019s another completing rehabilitation for an ACL tear, but has all the suitable running traits for a GWS wingman. Otherwise, Oakleigh teammate <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"184299\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/hunter-holmes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hunter Holmes<\/a> fits the bill with his athletic upside.<\/p>\n<p>Outside of the National Draft, the Giants have access to a trio of promising Academy graduates. Over-ager <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"156362\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/riley-hamilton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Riley Hamilton<\/a> could be given a chance as a dynamic tall forward, having earned a state draft combine invite alongside key position utility <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"166178\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/jim-houston\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jim Houston<\/a>, and speedy marking forward <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"188128\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/tallis-mcmillan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tallis McMillan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Giants have committed to landing Jayden Laverde as a delisted free agent, while Jake Stringer and Conor Stone will be afforded rookie lifelines. GWS will also have an eye on next year\u2019s crop, with Academy star <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"181672\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/ethan-matthews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ethan Matthews<\/a> already looking like a top-end prospect.<\/p>\n<p>KEY QUESTIONS:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Will GWS pull out another surprise in the first round?<br \/>\u2013 After pick 12, what other area of need will the Giants target?<br \/>\u2013 Are any of the Giants\u2019 academy prospects in consideration?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"2025 AFL Draft Preview: GWS GIANTS Michael Alvaro Image Credit: Rookie Me Central HAVING achieved finals finishes in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":277214,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,19271,64,63,55,639,147931,19335,15699,19337,121949,3417,160741,3459,19342,159660,79470,160742,160743,85,160744],"class_list":{"0":"post-277213","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-afl","8":"tag-afl","9":"tag-archie-ludowyke","10":"tag-au","11":"tag-australia","12":"tag-australian-football-league","13":"tag-australianfootballleague","14":"tag-cameron-nairn","15":"tag-ethan-matthews","16":"tag-harley-barker","17":"tag-harry-kyle","18":"tag-hunter-holmes","19":"tag-jacob-farrow","20":"tag-jim-houston","21":"tag-josh-lindsay","22":"tag-lachlan-carmichael","23":"tag-latrelle-pickett","24":"tag-oskar-taylor","25":"tag-riley-hamilton","26":"tag-sam-allen","27":"tag-sports","28":"tag-tallis-mcmillan"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=277213"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277213\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/277214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=277213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=277213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=277213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}