On Saturday, the AFL’s expansion teams, the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Gold Coast Suns, will face a historic double-final day. The Giants, participating in their eighth finals series since entering the league in 2012, will be joined by the Suns, who are embarking on their first-ever September campaign since joining the competition a year earlier. Despite their shared entry into the AFL, the two clubs have taken markedly different paths to reach this point.
As both teams prepare for their elimination finals, Foxfooty.com.au explores the potential achievements and challenges facing the Giants and Suns this September. The analysis delves into why one team has thrived while the other has struggled, with insights from AFL legend Mark Ricciuto.
Both Teams Face Inconsistencies
Inconsistency has plagued both teams throughout the season. The Giants managed to win nine out of their last ten home-and-away games after a rocky start with five losses in their first ten matches. Conversely, the Suns had a promising run, winning six of seven games, only to lose two of their final three fixtures as September loomed.
“They’ve both got question marks on them, and that’s not (being) disrespectful — both of their forms have been so up and down for a while,” Adelaide Crows legend Mark Ricciuto told Foxfooty.com.au ahead of the first weekend of finals.
Ricciuto expressed a belief that the Giants might advance further in the finals than the Suns, given their recent form and experience.
Suns’ First Finals Campaign
Despite this being their inaugural finals appearance, the Suns are led by a seasoned coach, Damien Hardwick, who brings a wealth of September experience. Ricciuto emphasized the advantage of having a coach familiar with the pressures of finals football.
“They’ve never been there, but they do have a coach who’s been there plenty of times — and that’s a good asset, don’t worry about that,” Ricciuto said of Hardwick.
The Suns’ recent performance against Port Adelaide was disappointing, yet Ricciuto noted that the team has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year. He stressed the importance of the Suns being at their best to make a significant impact in September.
Giants’ Strong Record Against Top Teams
The Giants have demonstrated their capability by maintaining a league-best 6-3 record against top-eight opposition. This record suggests their best football is capable of winning it all, though questions remain about the health of key players.
“They’ve got a great record against top eight sides, we know their best is really, really good,” said Ricciuto. “The question mark is, how many of their players are coming back from injury and what can they deliver in finals?”
Key players such as Jack Buckley and Brent Daniels will miss the finals due to injury. However, the return of stars like Jesse Hogan, Jake Stringer, and Josh Kelly is expected to bolster the team’s performance.
Different Paths to Success
The Giants’ journey has been characterized by strategic recruitment and leadership stability. Early acquisitions like Callan Ward and Phil Davis set a strong foundation, complemented by the drafting of talented players such as Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene. Under the guidance of inaugural coach Kevin Sheedy and later Leon Cameron, the Giants quickly rose through the ranks, achieving multiple top-eight finishes and a grand final appearance in 2019.
In contrast, the Suns struggled to build around their marquee signing, Gary Ablett, and faced numerous challenges, including frequent coaching changes. However, the appointment of Damien Hardwick in 2023 and the emergence of leaders like Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts have finally propelled the Suns into their first finals series.
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for their elimination finals, the stakes are high. For the Suns, simply qualifying for the finals marks a significant achievement, while the Giants aim to capitalize on their experience and strong record against top teams. The outcomes of these matches could shape the future trajectories of both clubs as they continue to establish their presence in the AFL.
The AFL community eagerly anticipates this historic double-final day, which promises to deliver thrilling contests and potentially redefine the narratives of these two expansion teams.
