AFL Supercoach 2026: GWS Giants 2026 Squad Analysis


<p>The Greater Western Sydney Giants loom as a premiership challenger again in 2026, after adding former Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver to an already stacked side.</p>



<p>The Giants narrowly went down to Hawthorn in an elimination final last year and need to find a way to bridge the gap between their best footy and their worst footy.</p>



<p>Alongside Oliver, coach Adam Kingsley will be hoping for some of the talented youth the club has on its list to continue to push towards regular best 23 spots.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Let’s take a look at the Giants’ SuperCoach prospects for the upcoming season.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Predicted Round 1 starting team</strong></h2>



<p>FB: Harry Himmelberg, Jack Buckley, Connor Idun</p>



<p>HB: Lachie Whitfield, Sam Taylor, Lachie Ash</p>



<p>C: Ryan Angwin, Clayton Oliver, Stephen Coniglio<br>HF: Brent Daniels, Jesse Hogan, Toby Bedford</p>



<p>FF: Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman, Jake Stringer</p>



<p>FOLL: Kieren Briggs, Tom Green, Finn Callaghan</p>



<p>I/C: Callum Brown, Jake Riccardi, Xavier O’Halloran, Toby McMullin, Joe Fonti</p>



<p><strong>Analysis:</strong> One of the best sides in the competition gets even better, with the acquisition of Oliver and return of Brent Daniels. Speedster Darcy Jones and veteran Josh Kelly will both miss the start of the season through injury, but that opens the door for a handful of talented youngsters to press their claims for regular senior games. Don’t be surprised if the Giants have a bolter or two in their best 23 after strong summers. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fixtures</strong></h2>



<p>Round 1: Western Bulldogs (A)</p>



<p>Round 2: St Kilda (H)</p>



<p>Round 3: Collingwood (A)</p>



<p>Round 4: Bye</p>



<p>Round 5: Richmond (H)</p>



<p>Byes: Round 4 &amp; 13</p>



<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> It’s a pretty kind start to the year for the Giants, who you’d imagine push towards September action again this year. Between rounds 5 and 12, the Giants have games against Richmond, North Melbourne, Essendon, West Coast and Melbourne, so capitalising on that run should be a key focus for SuperCoach players when upgrading early in the year. They share a round 4 bye with St Kilda and a round 13 bye with Richmond. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOCK</strong></h2>



<p>Defender <strong>Lachie Whitfield ($599,200 DEF)</strong> has proven his credentials as a bonafide SuperCoach premium in the past two seasons, averaging 110.7 and 111 points per game. His scoring ability has always been known, but perhaps most pleasingly is that he’s played a total of 45 matches across those last two campaigns, dispelling the notion amongst the community that he can be quite injury prone. </p>



<p>If you exclude last year’s injury-affected score of 16 against the Suns, Whitfield averaged over 115 points per game which ranks him amongst the competition’s elite. </p>



<p>Midfielder <strong>Finn Callaghan ($605,500 MID)</strong> had a breakout season where he averaged 111.9 SuperCoach points per game, regularly tearing matches apart with his power through stoppage and ability to dissect opposition sides. After a sluggish start to the season, Callaghan averaged a whopping 118.7 points per game from his last 15 outings, including a low score of 94. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>POINT OF DIFFERENCE</strong></h2>



<p>There’s plenty of mouths to feed at the Giants, but one player who starred last season was defender <strong>Lachie Ash ($583,000 DEF)</strong>, averaging 107.7 points per game. Ash scored 18 SuperCoach tons last year as one of the most consistent defenders in the game. </p>



<p>At a tick over five per cent ownership he could be a nice option, but that early bye, plus the fact he probably is at his highest price point, means it might be worth looking to him as an upgrade target. </p>



<p>Elsewhere, <strong>Brent Daniels ($300,300 FWD)</strong> might be worth a look after an injury-plagued 2025 season. Back in 2024 Daniels averaged 85.9 points per game but the price point is a bit awkward and perhaps he’s more of a SuperCoach Draft play.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CHEAPIES</strong></h2>



<p>Not a lot to write home about in terms of cheapies at the Giants, but <strong>Cody Angove ($160,200 FWD)</strong> should at least be on your pre-season watchlist. Angove is one of the youngsters putting their hands up for more regular senior opportunities this year and could find a place on the wing if the stars align.</p>


AFL Supercoach 2026: GWS Giants 2026 Squad Analysis

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