Five GIANTS have been rewarded for stellar 2016 seasons, named in the 40-man squad in contention for selection in the 2016 Virgin Australian AFL All Australian Team.
GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward, defender Heath Shaw, forward Toby Greene and midfielders Stephen Coniglio and Tom Scully have been all been selected, with a final 22 to be announced on Thursday in Melbourne.
It comes after the GIANTS secured fourth position on the AFL ladder, ensuring themselves a double chance in their maiden finals series.
Shaw is in line for back-to-back All Australian selections after being named in the team for the first time in 2015. Ward also made the 40-man squad in 2015 but wasn’t selected in the final team. It’s the first time young stars Greene, Coniglio and Scully have made the squad.
Callan Ward –Midfielder
The GIANTS co-captain has led from the front in 2016 averaging 24.4 disposals and 4.6 tackles per game. Ward was one of just five GIANTS who didn’t miss a game during the home and away season. His best performance came in round 17 against the Brisbane Lions when he collected 31 disposals (including 20 contested) and kicked three goals. Ward has been influential in setting up the GIANTS' key forwards with at least one goal assist per game.
Heath Shaw – Defender
The 2015 All Australian hasn’t missed a beat in 2016 having not missed a game and consistently been among the GIANTS’ best players each week. Shaw averages 24.5 disposals and 7.8 marks per game, and is considered one of the best intercept marks in the competition. His most outstanding game came in round nine against the Western Bulldogs when he picked up 38 disposals – 36 of which were kicks – at a disposal efficiency of 97 per cent.
Toby Greene – Forward
A mainstay in the GIANTS midfield since their inception, Greene made the move to the forward line in 2016 and hasn’t looked back. Greene sits third on the GIANTS goal kickers list with 39 goals, while still averaging 21.5 disposals and 3.7 tackles per game. When he isn’t kicking goals or applying tackling pressure, Greene is assisting his team-mates in scoring. Greene is ranked equal third in the competition for goal assists.
Stephen Coniglio – Midfielder
The number two draft pick has improved out of sight in 2016, becoming one of the GIANTS’ premier ball winners in an already star-studded midfield. Coniglio has averaged 28.1 disposals, one goal assist and 5.6 clearances per game this season, a marked improvement on the 23.3 disposals he averaged in 2015.The stats are all the more impressive when you consider that he was employed as a run-with player by coach Leon Cameron to curb the influence of opposition star midfielders.
Tom Scully – Midfielder
Scully has been Mr Consistency during the 2016 campaign for the GIANTS, not missing a single game while averaging 24 disposals. Scully also established himself as a goal scoring midfielder in 2016, kicking 21 goals for the season, ranking him fifth on the club’s goal kicking list. Scully was influential in the GIANTS’ round two win over Geelong, collecting 32 disposals and kicking a goal. His rich vein of form late in the season ensured the GIANTS claimed a spot in the top four.
The final 22 will be named at an official function in Melbourne this Thursday, September 1.
