Round 17
GWS Giants v Fremantle
1:35pm, Saturday July 4, 2026
Corroboree Group Oval Manuka
There are days when trying to work out the GWS Giants is enough to make you question your own sanity. On a glorious winter’s afternoon in the nation’s capital with the Canberra sunshine glistening off Manuka Oval, the Giants once again proved that trying to predict them is about as sensible as trying to catch feathers blowing in the breeze.
As Forrest Gump famously said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” That friends, is the 2026 Giants.
One week they look disorganised and bereft of confidence leaving supporters contemplating gardening as a healthier weekend pastime. The next they’re producing football so polished that even Forrest would have sat on his famous bus-stop bench and nodded approvingly.
This was chocolate of the highest quality.
From the opening bounce the Giants hunted with purpose. There was no hesitation, no overuse by hand and no panic. The ball moved with speed and dare as the orange tsunami swept across Manuka.
Jake Stringer with seven goals looked every bit the mercurial match-winner the club hoped for when recruiting him. One moment he was crashing packs the next sidestepping opponents as though they were standing in quicksand before finishing with trademark brilliance.
Captain Toby Greene was simply irresistible. Every contest seemed to bend to his will. When the Dockers threatened Greene answered. When a goal was needed Greene created it. When inspiration was required the skipper delivered it in spades. He is indeed the greatest Giant.
Behind the ball Harry Himmelberg rediscovered his intercepting brilliance repeatedly cutting off Fremantle attacks before they could gather momentum. Alongside him Lachie Ash glided across half-back with the composure of a man playing chess slicing the Dockers apart with precise kicking and fearless, aggressive run. With Fonti, Idun (does he ever lose a one-on-one?) and Taylor the Giant defence looks to be gaining much needed confidence. Whitfield’s concussion was the only sore point of what otherwise was a disciplined defensive performance against a potent Fremantle attack.
While the football department finally delivered certainty on the field with a stunning victory albeit with 10 injuries and two debutants uncertainty continues off it. The search for a new chief executive rolls on with experienced AFL administrator Ben Buckley (and father of key defender Jack) among the names many would see as an ideal appointment to steer the club through its next chapter.
Then there’s the ongoing identity discussion as reported in Melbourne’s broadsheet. After fifteen seasons does the club continue as the GWS Giants? Or is it time to embrace a new or refined identity? Perhaps the West Sydney Giants. Maybe the Western Sydney Giants. Or even the Sydney Giants! The author makes no apology for despising the media commentators obsession with calling them “the GWS.”
Branding experts will debate market penetration, commercial reach and supporter engagement. Traditionalists will argue the GWS identity represents the club’s pioneering spirit and the region that fought to establish AFL in rugby league heartland.
Whatever direction is chosen one thing remains abundantly clear. If the Giants can bottle whatever Forrest Gump served up in Canberra they’ll be far less concerned about what the name is than what’s put on the scoreboard.
Because on this magnificent winter’s day in the nation’s capital the Giants reminded everyone why they remain one of the AFL’s great enigmas.
Just like Forrest’s box of chocolates.
And for the Dockers the 14-game winning streak ended abruptly. For every win you’re closer to the next loss. Maybe it was the defeat they had to have as September approaches.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS
5.3 9.4 13.9 16.13 (109)
FREMANTLE
5.1 7.3 10.5 13.10 (88)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney:
Stringer 7, Greene 3, Cadman 2, Rowston, Coniglio, Brown
Fremantle: Traecy 3, Voss 2, Jackson 2, Reid, O’Driscoll, Erasmus, Dudley, Bolton, Amiss
BEST (Richard’s best)
Greater Western Sydney:
Stringer, Ash, Idun, Oliver, Callaghan, Himmelberg, Greene
Fremantle: Serong, Worner, Bolton, Clark, Reid, Jackson
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Whitfield (Concussion)
Fremantle: Young (groin)
CROWD: TBC
MALARKEY VOTES:
3 – J. Stringer
2 – L. Ash
1 – C. Idun
Read other round 17 match reports HERE
Read more from Richard Griffiths HERE
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