GREATER Western Sydney has rocketed into the top three for both average age and games experience as it prepares for a premiership assault in 2017.
With lists finalised for next season, the Giants have shed their young and inexperienced image to establish a premiership-winning list profile similar to the Hawks of 2013-15.
They have jumped from 17th in 2016 for average age to second (24 years and 219 days), and boosted their average games experience from 57 in 2016 (ranked No.17) to 76 (No.3).
All eyes have been on the Giants' fearsome group of young stars secured with early draft picks and academy concessions, but the club has quietly gone about supporting them with senior talent.
When the ball bounces to start the 2017 season, the Giants will have more 30-year-olds than every team bar Fremantle. Only four clubs will have fewer teenagers on their list.
The acquisition of 243-game Tiger Brett Deledio has rapidly taken the Giants into a similar profile to that of all-conquering Hawthorn team that utilised its experience on the big stage.
The Hawks had an average age between 24 years and 171 days (2013) and 24 years and 307 days (2015) for their three flags.
They were ranked top four for games played in each of those seasons, with an average across the period of 79.4 games. Greater Western Sydney sits right in that range going into 2017.
While the Hawks made an undeniable case for experience winning premierships during their reign, the Western Bulldogs flipped logic on its head in 2016.
Luke Beveridge's team entered 2016 with the fourth least games experience (57.7) and ranked No.14 for average age (23 years and 270 days).
Their Grand Final opponents, Sydney, were also less experienced than those Hawthorn teams with an average games experience of 68.4 (ranked No.10).
Going into 2017 the Bulldogs have got older and more experienced, keeping their list together and adding 246-game Magpie Travis Cloke.
The Swans, however, have dropped into the bottom four for average age (23 years and 265 days) and rank No.14 for games experience (59).
Where the Swans have fallen in experience, they make up for in finals experience, ranking No.2 (267 games), only behind Hawthorn.
How the 2016 finalists are shaping up for 2017
| 2016 | 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG. AGE (RANK) | AVG. GAMES (RANK) | AVG. AGE (RANK) | AVG. GAMES (RANK) | |
| Western Bulldogs | 23y, 270d (14th) | 58 (15th) | 23y, 322d (10th) | 64 (8th) |
| Sydney | 24y, 124d (7th) | 68 (10th) | 23y, 265d (15th) | 59 (14th) |
| GWS | 23y, 99d (17th) | 57 (17th) | 24y, 219d (2nd) | 76 (3rd) |
| Geelong | 24y, 201d (5th) | 77 (5th) | 24y, 18d (6th) | 63 (9th) |
| Hawthorn | 24y, 307d (3rd) | 87 (2nd) | 24y, 184d (4th) | 79 (2nd) |
| Adelaide | 24y, 29d (11th) | 62 (11th) | 23y, 340d (9th) | 57 (16th) |
| West Coast | 24y, 175d (6th) | 78 (4th) | 24y, 330d (1st) | 85 (1st) |
| North Melbourne | 25y, 55d (2nd) | 94 (1st) | 23y, 218d (17th) | 59 (13th) |
Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney list comparison
| AVG. AGE (RANK) | AVG. GAMES (RANK) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ||
| Hawthorn | 24y 184d (4) | 79 (2) |
| GWS | 24y 219d (2) | 76 (3) |
| 2016 | ||
| Hawthorn | 24y 307d (3) | 86.6 (2) |
| GWS | 23y 99d (17) | 56.9 (17) |
| 2015 | ||
| Hawthorn | 24y 307d (4) | 85.6 (3) |
| GWS | 22y 153d (18) | 43.8 (18) |
| 2014 | ||
| Hawthorn | 24y 172d (4) | 74.5 (4) |
| GWS | 21y 329d (18) | 31.2 (18) |
| 2013 | ||
| Hawthorn | 24y 171d (3) | 78.2 (3) |
| GWS | 21y 173d (18) | 27.5 (18) |
