B: Tomas Bugg, Phil Davis, Adam Kennedy
HB: Curtly Hampton, Stephen Gilham, Will Hoskin-Elliott
C: Toby Greene, Callan Ward, Bret Thornton
HF: Lachie Whitfield, Jonathon Patton, Stephen Coniglio
F: Adam Treloar, Jeremy Cameron, Devon Smith
Foll: Jonathan Giles, Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully
I/C: Lachie Plowman, Setanta O'hAilpin, Taylor Adams
Sub: Dom Tyson
Injury list
Pre-season knee injuries to Chad Cornes and Dom Tyson interrupted the Giants' plans. Tyson should be back in May, but Cornes is sidelined indefinitely, taking a huge chunk of leadership and experience out of the line-up. But, apart from Matthew Buntine's punctured lung suffered in the NAB Cup, GWS has a mostly fit and firing line-up which is showing the benefits of a second pre-season.
The big questions
Can the backline put some clamps on anyone this season? The Giants conceded more than 18 goals per game in 2012 and need to improve markedly in defence if they are to add to their win total.
Is the fitness staff getting it right? There has been a deliberate and very specific program of introducing muscle to the Giants' young bodies while maintaining their athleticism and minimising injuries. This year we will see how it is developing.
What impact will Leon Cameron have? The new senior assistant coach is already receiving rave reviews from the players and he will have a major say on their playing style over the course of this season.
Summer standout
Tom Scully has had a quiet start to his career as a Giant. But he looks a different person in all aspects entering 2013. More mature, with some muscle added to his frame and a vice-captaincy title added to his name, Scully seems set for a big year. Sam Frost also looks a fearsome athletic prospect after some considerable time spent in the gym.
Fantasy cash cow
Devon Smith was one of only five Giants to feature in 20 games or more last season and, at $352,100, he could prove fantasy gold. A proven goalkicker, the tough small forward's value goes well beyond that. Smith gathered over 20 possessions eight times last season and also laid 85 tackles. Good overhead for his size, the 19-year-old is a star on the rise.
Sudden impact
Lachie Whitfield. He is only slight in stature and barely needs to shave, but the No.1 pick from last year's NAB AFL Draft looks ready for senior football. Blessed with speed and creativity, he survived a crash course during the NAB Cup and while his playing time will be managed, he is ready to contribute. Pick No.3 Lachie Plowman has also settled well and could line-up for round one.
It's crunch time for…
Rhys Palmer. One of the more high-profile signings in GWS' first year, Palmer was wildly inconsistent and spent some time in the reserves in 2012. With the Giants stocking up their midfield and forward options, his position is under real threat and he needs to show the consistency and leadership of a man entering his sixth season in the AFL.
Pivotal match
The Giants have set themselves to make a statement in round one against the premiers, but other contests will likely prove more telling. A trip to Melbourne to face the Demons in round four is followed by a showdown with Gold Coast at Manuka Oval. That looms as a key fortnight as GWS chases its stated aim of at least four wins in 2013.
GWS will have a good year if…
With Cornes sidelined, Stephen Gilham and Bret Thornton need to offer consistent support to Phil Davis in a backline that was trampled by all and sundry in 2012. Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton must work on their partnership at the other end of the ground and Andrew Phillips needs to offer support to Jonathan Giles in the ruck. Kevin Sheedy and Leon Cameron also have to determine their best midfield mix and get them firing for the Giants to take a big step forward.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish:
18th
