GWS coach says finals unrealistic despite strong start to season
A LITTLE history was made at Wednesday's Greater Western Sydney press conference when coach Leon Cameron was asked one particular question for the first time in club history, namely "Can you make the finals?"
It has taken 47 AFL games and the commencement of the Giants' third season for the 'F' word to raise its head.
In some ways it can be viewed as reasonable question considering, three games into the 2014 campaign, GWS has picked up two wins and finds itself nestled well inside the top eight in sixth position.
That in itself is a milestone for a club that had claimed consecutive wooden spoons in its first two years, picked up a grand total of three wins across those seasons, and its previous best position at any time was 16th.
Twin 32-point triumphs over the Sydney Swans and Melbourne, either side of a seven-point loss to St Kilda, means the Giants currently find themselves ahead of perennial finalists Fremantle, Collingwood and the Swans.
Still, jumping from one victory in 2013 to finalists the following year would surely be beyond anyone's realistic hopes, and Cameron reacted as expected when asked if finals were too much of a stretch this season.
"Yes," he said with a chuckle.
"We go out to try to win every game, but in terms of that, we are a week-to-week prospect.
"We understand where we're at. We're the 18th-youngest side in the competition.
"Yes, we're developing, I acknowledge that. Our boys are growing and getting better and they're staying in games for longer.
"But all we can focus on is the Dogs this week."
While September action for GWS this year remains an unlikely prospect, there is little doubting the progress being made.
The additions of players such as Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw and Josh Hunt has added some steel and guile to a burgeoning group of talented youngsters the envy of most in the competition.
The Giants' seconds are also performing well, meaning there is now genuine competition for spots, and Cameron said the on-field results are having an impact across the whole club.
"It's obviously better to be 2-1 than 0-3," he said.
"It builds confidence around our footy club to know we're on the right track in terms of our football program.
"Not only our AFL side, but our NEAFL side also had a good fighting win on the weekend against the Sydney Swans.
"It's good; the atmosphere around here is changing all the time."
The Giants' next test is against another of the AFL's up-and-coming sides in the Western Bulldogs in Canberra.
The Dogs had a strong finish to 2013, and while they started a little slowly this year, losing to West Coast and North Melbourne, they are coming off a strong victory over Richmond.
"We're coming up against a really, really good side in the Bulldogs," Cameron said.
"The way they finished last year, they would've been disappointed with their first week (this season), but their last couple of weeks they're right back on track.
"Their win against Richmond was a really good win.
"It's a great test for us and great chance for us to play at our home ground in Canberra."
Small forward Devon Smith had his suspension upheld by the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday, and Cameron said former Swan Jed Lamb and Liam Sumner were among those in contention for their first senior games of the year.
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