Giants Grand Final Preview
Wow, what an exciting week here at XBlades HQ. The office is buzzing and the phone is flying off the hook about Giants Merch. We've loved receiving the calls and messages of excited Giants fans and hope you've got plenty of orange to wear this weekend!
It's the first time an AFL team has worn our apparel in the AFL Grand Final and we couldn't be more proud to be on board with the GWS GIANTS.
We thought we'd share our insight into the grand final and some of the offices have been brave enough to give us their tips for the weekend.
The Case for the Giants
If you're in the final you've given yourself an opportunity at the very least, always back yourself in and #NeverSurrender.
The way the Giants have gotten there will give them a lot of confidence, they haven't gone about it the easy way. The Bulldogs set the formula for the underdog winning and the Giants might just be made of the right stuff to get it done. They play a fantastic high skilled game of football, the type that you love to watch.
The biggest plus for the Giants is they are just booming with elite talent, villain/hero Toby Greene walks back into the team and is my personal tip for the Norm Smith. His ability to put goals on the ball shouldn't go unnoticed. The return of Whitfield sure to bolster their speed around the ground, a dynamic trait shared by one of my favourite players to watch Zac Williams.
Throw into that mix Coleman medalist/all-round nice guy Cameron and the silky smooth Josh Kelly and you're in with a chance in every game you play. If the Giants can stick true to their game style on the biggest occasion this year, they are a very big shout.
Where they could fall down is the tall timber of Richmond, while I love the long-locked trio of Davis, Haynes, and Himmelberg I have a fear that they could be on the pointy end of a Tom Lynch goal kicking clinic should he get loose, if he doesn't get them jumping Jack might!
The Case for Richmond
The Tiggy train has been pumping coal into the engine and they're looking just as good as their drought-breaking win two years ago. They will go into this contest hot favorites, their stars are in red hot form and they look unbeatable on the hallowed turf of the MCG.
They have the stars; Lynch, Riewoldt, Martin, Cotchin, Houli and Grimes and their "rest" are some seriously good players too. Prestia, Caddy and Castagna could all get going and put some serious pressure on the scoreboard. Whether De Boer can get hold of Martin is key, he's the most dangerous player in the competition and could wrestle the game away. The swarm/surge mentality of the Tigers will be well and truly on show if this gets scrappy.
Where are they vulnerable? When they can't play insurgent football. Collingwood and the Giants have both been able to inflict some pain on Richmond through elite skills and controlling the ball. You're not going to find it easy to work harder the Tigers but you just might work smarter.
Those brave enough to say what they're thinking in the office:
Shredder
The result - GWS by 7, Nailbiter. Don't sit next to me if you like your ear drums.
Norm Smith - Uncle Toby Greene
First Goal Scorer - J. Finlayson
Nick
The result - Tigers by 15. The same number of beers I'll delete
Norm Smith - Shane Edwards
First Goal Scorer - Tom Lynch
"Diesel"
The result - Tigers by 4. I'll be partying with Dusty at the Emerson late into the night
Norm Smith - Dusty
First Goal Scorer - J Cameron
Orlando
The result - Richmond by 5, the time I'll be out until
Norm Smith - Bachar Houli
First Goal Scorer - Tom Lynch
Dylan
The result - GWS by 21.
Norm Smith – Nick Haynes
First Goal Scorer - Toby Greene
Marshy
The result: Giants by 13, unlucky for some but not the lads from Western Sydney
Norm Smith : Josh Kelly
First Goal Scorer: Toby “The People’s Champion” Greene
Banks
The result – Tigers by 45, GWS hold the floodgates until half time, then get blown away
Norm smith – Trent Cotchin, standing as tall as his flat-top
First goal – Jack Riewoldt
The Big Bossman
Tigers 27
Norm Smith. Prestia
First goal Jeremy Cameron
Tobi-wan-kenobi
Tigs by 28 points, GWS overdo it early.
Norm Smith – S. Edwards
First Goal – S. Edwards
Marlion Pickett to debut 🤫
Magic Mike
The result: Go hard or go home! GWS dominate from the first half by 20 and finish 32 points up.
Norm Smith; M deBoer
First Goal scorer: S Mumford
Chaddles
The result – Tigers by 71, Bachar Houli running hot, Toby Greene gone cold.
Norm smith – Kane Lambert
First goal – Jack Riewoldt within 40 seconds.
