Injuries to key players hurt the GIANTS’ push towards a maiden finals appearance this year, but defender Joel Patfull believes they will benefit his side in the long run.
The two-time Brisbane Lions best and fairest was one of a host of GIANTS to miss a large chunk of games last season – along with star ruckman Shane Mumford (ankle), co-captain Phil Davis (ankle/hamstring), Dylan Shiel (knee) and Tom Scully (knee) - when he broke two ribs and punctured his lung in an accidental clash with teammate Matt Buntine in round 11 against Collingwood.
Davis was also injured against the Magpies and the loss of their two defensive pillars forced youngsters Aidan Corr and Nick Haynes into the roles, where at times they struggled against physically larger opponents.
Patfull told AFL.com.au that although it was hard for the pair, the extra game time against quality forwards such as Geelong's Tom Hawkins, North Melbourne duo Drew Petrie and Jarrad Waite, plus former Sun now Port Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon, has helped fat-track their development.
"They sort of got chucked under the bus a little bit when the both of us went down in the same week and had to fight a little bit out of their weight division, but they actually finished off the year really well," Patfull said.
"They learned a fair bit from that as well especially Aidan Corr who had to play on guys he normally wouldn't have had to play on, but it was a really good experience for him in the second half of the year.
"He's come back and is looking really good, he's put some size on and I think he's one guy that will step up and take one of those key position posts next year."
GWS was ranked 11th in the League for points against during the 2015 season and Patfull says although the defence was undermanned after the mid-season bye, it's an area the club is working to improve in 2016.
The GIANTS went 4-7 from the 11 games played after the Collingwood loss, with Davis playing just three more games for the year, and Patfull, Haynes (groin) and Buntine (concussion) also sidelined at various stages.
"I think later in the year some of those losses blew out, but earlier in the season when we were playing well, we were keeping teams to around 80-85 points, which is a pretty good level," he said.
"We're working on different things but obviously defence is a team responsibility as well, so if we can stop the ball further up the field it'll slow the scores down.
"Between Phil (Davis), Aidan (Corr), Nick (Haynes) and myself, we'll change things up.
"I think these days with a backline in AFL footy you've got to be flexible and it's always good to have a few different options and a few different things you can do.
Patfull has recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered after a motorcycle accident on his post-season holiday to Bali and has been running for the past few weeks.
The 31 year-old – now the second oldest GIANT after to the arrival of three-time premiership Cat Steve Johnson – started skills training with the rest of the playing group on Monday, and expects to be back doing full contact work after the Christmas break.
