AFL

GWS out to tackle a giant problem with inconsistency

By Sebastian Tan

Jul 5, 2026

The Giants' Finn Callaghan picked up 30 disposals in his side's win over the ladder-leading Dockers. -AAP Image

Having thumped the AFL's two-time defending premiers Brisbane and downed current ladder leaders Fremantle, GWS should be riding high, readying for finals.

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Instead they're sitting outside the top 10, a lack of consistency plaguing their chances of cementing themselves as premiership contenders.

But after shocking the competition with a gritty 21-point victory over the Dockers on Saturday in Canberra, midfielder Finn Callaghan believes the Giants have laid the platform to work their way back into the season.

"We played four quarters of consistent footy. No matter who we play, at our best we can beat anyone," Callaghan told AAP.

"We've got a lot of work to do. There's no beating around the bush, but if we can keep being consistent over the next few weeks, who knows what's possible for us?

"Today is definitely a step in the right direction."

After suffering demoralising defeats to West Coast, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, GWS (7-9) face an uphill battle to make the finals.

To make matters worse, they play both Geelong and the second-placed Swans in the next three rounds while still missing a large chunk of their playing group through injury.

"It (inconsistency) has been the story of this year so far ... it doesn't mean it needs to continue to be the story," Giants coach Adam Kingsley said.

"We can build on that consistency. We can be a really consistent team.

"We'll be disappointed with some of the injuries we've received across the course of the year, and the continual change of our team, but so what."

Fremantle's hopes of claiming a first minor premiership since 2015 have been dented and they'll need a win against the Swans next Thursday to reinstate a two-game buffer on top of the table.

Josh Treacy, who booted three majors on Saturday, insists the Dockers (14-2) must refresh after what he called a frustrating occasion.

"The noise around the number of wins, I don't think that was a factor," the key forward told AAP after Fremantle's club record 14-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday.

"We've got a short turnaround next week. We rally together back on the bus, back on the plane, and a short week is sometimes the best thing in footy."

The Dockers will also sweat on the fitness of midfielder Hayden Young after the 25-year-old picked up a groin injury in the second half.