ADAM Kingsley’s quest to bring the zip that was once the hallmark of its game back to Greater Western Sydney showed promising signs in a 45-point win in over Gold Coast in Blacktown.

With the two Lachie’s – Lachie Whitfield and Lachie Ash – now stationed as half-backs in Kingsley’s new system, the Giants possessed pace in their transition out of defence that has been missing far too often over the past three seasons.

GIANTS v SUNS Full match coverage and stats

While Whitfield, who had 25 possessions, was a GWS standout when the game was up for grabs, it was the number three draft pick from 2021 in Finn Callaghan who will enthuse Giants fans the most ahead of the new season.

The tall winger was outstanding with 22 possessions and two long-range goals and, with his smooth moving frame and poise, looks set to add a fresh dimension to the Giants’ midfield after playing five games in his debut season.

"He looked great", Giants coach Adam Kingsley said. "We're pretty excited by what he can deliver but I just want him to play his role on the wing and we'll see where it takes us."

In the absence of dual club champion Touk Miller as well as Brandon Ellis and the recovering Lachie Weller, Gold Coast lacked the required depth in midfield to match it with the Giants. Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell were typically busy though, while Sam Flanders enjoyed a prolonged run in the midfield and was lively with 30 touches.

No moment would have provided more encouragement for Stuart Dew and the Suns though than seeing their returning spearhead Ben King kick the opening goal of the game, in his first outing since the ACL that ruled him out of the entirety of the 2022 season.

King was mobbed by teammates after the set shot sailed through and then rested in the second half as the Suns eased a player of great importance to them back into the AFL fold.

"Really pleasing" Suns coach Stuart Dew said of King's game. "We're not surprised though based on what we've witnessed over the past 13 months. He looked sharp, he's done a lot of work. We expect him to have a good season." 

One concern for Kingsley, in an impressive outing ahead of his official debut as Giants coach, will be the short fuse of ruckman Braydon Preuss. Suspended three times last season, Preuss showed several moments of ill-discipline yet again in what was just a practice game.

The most notable was a dump tackle on Tom Berry that may be looked at by the Match Review Officer.

With Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper departing at the end of last season, a big question mark on GWS has surrounded its midfield depth, but the pre-season form of several big names is providing reassurances that all will be fine in that area.

Josh Kelly looks as classy as ever while Tom Green again indicated that he’s set for a big season after plateauing in form at the back end of last year. Stephen Coniglio is coming off a second-placed finish in the best and fairest and looked dangerous while Callaghan looms as a future game-breaker.

While the Giants put them under massive pressure in the second half, with Harry Himmelberg kicking three late goals, the Suns key defensive pillars of Sam Collins and Charlie Ballard were excellent and look set to form one of the more underrated key defensive partnerships in the competition, yet again.

A front-on Ballard hit on Coniglio rocked the former GWS skipper in the second quarter and may be reviewed, but with Ballard’s feet remaining on the ground the Suns are unlikely to be overly concerned about a suspension.

New Faces
Ben Long moved from the Saints to the Suns in the off-season and provided plenty of promising moments in his 16 touches, most notably a sensational pack mark over Jake Riccardi in the second quarter. Former Lion Tom Berry kicked a goal early and looms as a defensive forward option for Dew, but his afternoon was rocked by the dangerous Preuss tackle. The Giants named a near-full strength side with Josh Fahey the only player lacking AFL experience. There are many at the Giants who feel he would have debuted last season barring injury and one could see why as he showed some promise on the flanks.

Round one chance
Riccardi is in the Giants side more often than not but he hasn’t felt like a lock in their best 22. Four goals – three of them to half-time – should seal his round one spot. James Peatling and Daniel Lloyd both kicked two and gave the forward-line some excellent defensive pressure to firm up their chances. Number one draft pick Aaron Cadman was left out of the 22 but kicked four goals in the VFL. With Jesse Hogan, Himmelberg and Riccardi available, a round one debut seems unlikely for Cadman but can’t be ruled out. Charlie Constable seems certain for a round one spot with 18 touches and 429 metres gained off half-back in another impressive pre-season showing. Darcy Macpherson only played ten games last season and Flanders nine, but both gave themselves an excellent chance of being in Stuart Dew’s first 22 for the season. Macpherson had 21 disposals off half-back and provided some handy run, while Flanders finished with 28 possessions in midfield.

Medical room
Preuss’ dangerous dump on Berry certainly hurt the new Sun but he was able to continue despite getting some attention to his back and ribs from the medical staff. The big injury watch on Gold Coast though will surround their skipper and biggest star in Miller who missed both pre-season games with a hamstring injury, but is confident of playing in round one. Ellis missed but will be fine for the season opener while Wil Powell and Weller are eyeing off early-season injury returns. Coniglio was limping following the Ballard hip and shoulder but played on and looked unconcerned. Toby Greene and Hogan were both rested in the second half after showing once more that they are the key to the Giants forward 50 output this year.

Fantasy watch
The performance of Finn Callaghan (MID, $406,000) on a wing would have impressed many coaches. The Giants midfielder had 22 disposals and kicked two goals for his 88 points. Few Giants did much wrong. Tom Green (MID, $752,000) was busy, collecting 34 disposals and 95 points, Isaac Cumming (DEF, $802,000) was good coming out of defence, gathering 25 touches and 106 points, while Lachie Whitfield (MID, $804,000) looked close to being back to his best, finishing with 82 points. Josh Kelly (MID, $899,000) was lively and finished with a game-high 107 points, while Stephen Coniglio (MID/FWD, $871,000) ended up with 77 points after being on the end of a big hit in the second quarter. Charlie Constable (DEF/MID, $332,000) showed enough in defence for the Suns and had 73 points, while Sam Flanders (MID/FWD, $508,000) will tempt coaches after a 98-point performance. Noah Anderson (MID, $870,000) had 17 disposals and 50 points from 64 per cent time on ground. – Dejan Kalinic

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY   3.5   7.6   14.7   19.8 (122)
GOLD COAST                            3.3   6.3    6.4    12.5 (77)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi 4, Himmelberg 3, Peatling 2, Lloyd 2, Hogan 2, Callaghan 2, Greene, Cumming, Ward, Stone.
Gold Coast: Jeffrey 2, King, Lukosious, Witts, Berry, Ainsworth, Tsitas, Chol, Casboult, Davies, Fiorini

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Whitfield, Ash, Green, Kelly, Callaghan, Cumming, Coniglio, Riccardi, Lloyd
Gold Coast: Flanders, McPherson, Witts, Collins, Anderson, Constable, Rowell.