The GWS Giants are gearing up for an elimination final against Hawthorn on September 9, 2023, without the safety net of a double chance. After finishing fifth in the AFL standings, the Giants are keen to defy historical trends, which show that winning a premiership from the bottom half of the top eight is a daunting task. Only two teams have managed this feat since the introduction of the current finals format in 2000: the Western Bulldogs in 2016 and defending champions Brisbane.
Despite the odds, GWS defender Lachie Ash remains optimistic. He believes their remarkable turnaround in the 2023 season positions them well to challenge for the title. Under the guidance of coach Adam Kingsley, the Giants overcame a shaky start with a record-setting seven-match winning streak. This impressive run propelled them from a 3-7 record to a final position of fifth on the ladder.
The Giants narrowly missed a grand final appearance last year, losing by a single point to eventual champions Collingwood in the preliminary final. In contrast, their 2023 campaign has been a significant improvement over the previous year’s quick exit, where they finished fourth but lost both their finals matches. They fell to Sydney by six points, followed by a five-point defeat to Brisbane in the semi-final.
GWS players are confident that the pressure of a do-or-die situation will bring out their best performances. Ash noted, “We play better when everything is on the line.” His teammate, midfielder Finn Callaghan, echoed this sentiment, stating, “No double chance means we’ve got to be at our best every week, and I feel like we play better when that’s the way it is.”
Young talents Ash and Callaghan earned their first selections in the All-Australian squad this year, highlighting their breakout seasons, although neither received the coveted blazer. Meanwhile, key defender Sam Taylor secured his second All-Australian nod after battling through injuries over the past two seasons. Taylor praised Ash’s performance, saying, “I thought he was a bit stiff not to get it because he’s had such an incredible season. Watching him week in, week out, he’s just been huge.”
Ash has been instrumental in the Giants’ dynamic style of play, known as the “Orange Tsunami.” During the 2023 season, he averaged 27.9 disposals, 6.3 marks, and gained over 543 meters per match. Reflecting on his performance, Ash said, “It’s the first time in my career I’ve been playing the way that I know I’m capable of. We didn’t finish last year the way we wanted to finish it, so that really drove me to start this year the way I did.”
With the elimination final looming, the Giants are determined to leverage their momentum and the lessons learned from previous seasons. The upcoming match against Hawthorn will be a crucial test of their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. As the team prepares for this pivotal moment, aspirations for finals victories and a potential premiership remain high.
