What to expect
GWS will be desperate to prove their below-par performance in the West was a one off as they face the Hawks at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Giants kicked only one goal after quarter time, and were well beaten in the contested possession count by the Eagles, who ran out 87 points winners.
A disappointed Leon Cameron lamented his side’s lack of defensive effort.
“Only five goals down at half time, to end up getting beaten by 80-odd points... that’s not us, hasn’t been us all through the NAB Cup and the first four weeks so our boys are really disappointed because we thought we’d gone away from that,” he said post-game.
Cameron pointing towards the Giants lack of skill and pressure applied for the magnitude of the defeat.
“I thought that our disposal was pretty poor and we actually gave the ball back to them.
“If you can’t win in the contest and you don’t get your hands dirty, you’re always going to be chasing tail.
An assistant to Alastair Clarkson for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Cameron is determined that the Giants will bounce back against the Hawks.
“I’m making sure it’s going to be an aberration (loss to the Eagles) because we’ve got to get back on the bike against Hawthorn.
“We play obviously the premiers from last year which doesn’t get any easier, but in saying that, we had a fantastic dual with them last year at the MCG, went down by a goal, and we that know if we put four quarters of footy together then we can take it up to a lot of sides."
Players to Watch
Dylan Shiel leads the Giants for all of disposals, clearances and contested possessions this season and was his side’s best in the loss to West Coast.
After gathering 36 disposals against the Eagles, Shiel will be the one the Hawks will have to be the most wary of.
While key forward Cam McCarthy will be looking to bounce back after a quiet outing in Round 5.
Currently the Giants leading goalkicker, McCarthy’s promising early season form has surprised some, but the seventh-gamer will be aiming to add to his tally of 14 goals for 2015 against Hawthorn.
Potential Changes
While Leon Cameron doesn’t expect to make too many changes despite such a heavy loss, some at GWS may find themselves under the pump to hold their spots heading into Round 6.
Josh Kelly was subbed out of the match in the third quarter with only 6 disposals, and was replaced by Will Hoskin-Elliott, who managed only three.
Draftee Jack Steele continues to impress at NEAFL level, being named best on ground for the second week in a row.
Adam Kennedy was also amongst the best playing off half back, while former Swan, Jed Lamb, kicked three goals.
