Squad breakdown: Forwards
With the 2021 season just six weeks away, GIANTS Media is breaking down each area of the ground and assessing how the squad is placed.
In:
Connor Stone: Joined the club at pick 15 in December’s draft and has been training with the forwards but has the ability to play a number of positions across the ground. Mid-sized player with good decision-making ability and composure under pressure. Will become just the second player in the club’s history to occupy the number 18 locker.
Jesse Hogan: Was traded to the GIANTS in the off-season after two seasons at Fremantle. The GIANTS will be his third club after he burst onto the scene at Melbourne as a teenager. At his best, he is one of the best key forwards in the competition and will be looking to unleash his running ability in a new-look forward line.
Outs:
Jeremy Cameron: Family and lifestyle reasons saw the two-time All-Australian forward explore Free Agency following the 2020 season and he was eventually traded to Geelong for a bounty of first-round draft picks. Has led the club’s goal kicking in every season since 2012 and leaves the club as a life member .
Zac Langdon: After three years at the club, Langdon returned to his native WA to play for West Coast. After bursting onto the scene in 2018, was unable to re-capture that form in 2019 and 2020 at the GIANTS and will be hoping a change of scenery sees him return to his best.
Unchanged:
Brent Daniels: The 21-year old was a mainstay of the GIANTS forward line in 2020 and kicked one of the goals of the year late in the season against Melbourne. Showed the ability to be a welcome addition to the centre-square combinations in recent years and is expected to play a crucial role in the new-look forward line.
Jeremy Finlayson: Found himself out of the team at stages last season but signed a three-year extension to continue on at the club. Plays an important third tall role in the forward line but could be an option to return to the backline if required in 2021.
Toby Greene: The much-loved forward was at his best at stages in 2020 but had a number of injury concerns which didn’t allow him to find much rhythm throughout the season. With the departure of Jeremy Cameron, expect Greene to step up in 2021 under the guidance of new forwards coach and good friend Steve Johnson.
Bobby Hill: Was at his electric best at stages in the 2020 season with the West Australian turning it on against Adelaide with a mark of the year nomination. Has played 13 games across his first two AFL seasons and will be looking to cement himself as a first-choice small forward in his third year.
Harry Himmelberg: Was omitted for the final game of the season and will be looking to step up in Jeremy Cameron’s absence in his sixth season in the AFL. Was used at times as a defender in 2020 but at his best is a very clever and mobile key forward. Coming into his prime years and has impressed coach Leon Cameron during the pre-season.
Tom Hutchesson: The South Australian was a surprise packet of 2020, banging the door down with consistent reserves form to earn a debut after being selected at pick 65 in the draft. Only played one game due to a hamstring injury but is expected to be in contention for a small forward spot as the GIANTS look to increase the pressure inside forward 50.
Daniel Lloyd (r): The dedicated forward played his 50th AFL game in 2020 and will be looking to add to his games played tally in the new-look forward line this season. The 28-year old has moved to the rookie list but is still available to play from round one.
Jake Riccardi: The 21-year old turned heads late in the season when he kicked nine goals from his first five games. Hits the packs hard and has a nice pair of hands. Slotted into the forward line seamlessly and after a very big pre-season, will be looking to cement his spot in the 22 in just his second year.
Zach Sproule (r): The popular teammate received a last-minute reprieve and was added to the club’s rookie list for 2021 prior to Christmas. Has dominated games in the reserves for a number of seasons and will be looking to add to the one AFL game that he played in 2019.
State of Play: The external pundits are questioning how the GIANTS will hit the scoreboard following the departure of nine-time leading goal kicker Jeremy Cameron, however the club is confident there are a number of exciting avenues to goal. The emergence of Jake Riccardi, the arrival of Jesse Hogan and the star-power of Toby Greene gives new forwards coach Steve Johnson plenty to work with.
More of the same please: Jake Riccardi couldn’t have been more impressive in his first five games. His second game saw 195cm forward kick four goals and earn a Rising Star nomination. With the departure of Cameron, there is a spot up for grabs in the forward line and Riccardi might be the one to take his opportunity.
Don’t forget about me: With 90 games and 170 career goals behind him, Jesse Hogan is a welcome inclusion to the club’s forward line after stints at Melbourne and Fremantle. Never managed to capture his best form in his hometown of Perth but will be looking to get back to his form from his four seasons at the Demons when he averaged 2.1 goals a game.
Time to unleash: Bobby Hill has shown glimpses of what he’s capable of in his first two seasons. His speed and skill could be the perfect complement to Greene and the tall forwards but needs to become a consistent contributor both in attack and defence in 2021.
Crystal ball time: Toby Greene earned his All-Australian jumper in 2016 when Steve Johnson arrived at the club. With Johnson returning to the GIANTS after three years at the Swans, expect to see Greene receive another All-Australian honour in 2021. With the departure of Cameron, this will be Greene’s forward line and any defender casught one-out with Greene will be looking for emergency help from a teammate.
