GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) picked up a bumper haul of juniors and pulled off some of the shocks of the draft across another memorable intake. A pair of Academy products will graduate to the senior side, along with three Victorians and a West Australian bolter.

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DRAFT HAUL

National Draft:

18. Oliver Hannaford 
19. Harrison Oliver
24. Cody Angove
36. Jack Ough
71. Logan Smith (Academy)

Rookie Draft:

11. Lachlan Keeffe (re-listed)
22. Jacob Wehr (re-listed)
30. Josh Fahey (re-listed)
Cat B. Josaia Delana

>> CLICK each player’s names for full profiles & highlights

Boasting back-to-back picks late in the first round, the Giants were primed to snap up a pair of prime targets. Oliver was the theme, as Oliver Hannaford and Harrison Oliver were called out consecutively to bolter GWS’ small stocks at either end of the ground.

Hannaford caught the Giants’ attention late in the year with his bigtime performances up forward. There, his manic pressure, physicality and penchant for clutch goals convinced many recruiters he could make the top grade. He was the first state combine invitee to be drafted.

Oliver is another competitive type who punches above his weight. The defender is a reliable and gutsy interceptor, but compliments such play with exquisite ball use on his favoured left foot. He was described by Sandringham Dragons coach Rob Harding as the “heartbeat” of his premiership side.

The Giants had one more call to make on night one and with pick 24, sent the room into a spin by calling out Cody Angove. The lightly framed Claremont kid is a dashing type who is often involved in scoring chains off the wing or half-forward. He suits the profile of athletic, versatile talents GWS tends to target.

Having taken no risks to reel in three players they had targeted, the Giants only had a couple more they would consider on night two, though had originally planned to trade pick 36. With Jack Ough still on the board and no threat on a bid for Academy ruck Logan Smith, they made their move.

Ough was a teammate of Hannaford at the GWV Rebels and also impressed in the back-end of the season. At 194cm, he is competent on the inside and outside having played both roles in the Rebels’ run to the Grand Final. His clean hands and poise in possession are among his best traits.

Smith had the rare honour of being the last player selected in the draft, called out with pick 71. Given how highly clubs valued the depth of midfield talent and running types like GWS’ first three picks, many talls like Smith were pushed out despite their initial draft ranges being a little higher.

Nonetheless, the 204cm ruck has improved significantly in his time with the Giants. He was their Academy Player of the Year and the Allies’ primary choice before going on to earn VFL exposure. His ability to get first hand on the ball and follow up at the contest is impressive.

With everything going to plan across the first two nights, the Giants informed Academy captain Josaia Delana that he would be listed as a Category B rookie. The diminutive midfielder-forward impressed with his ground level game and pressure acts this year, along with eye-catching speed.

GWS does not currently have a list spot open to make a supplementary selection period signing. The only other point of call for the orange team was to re-list a trio of players – Lachlan Keeffe, Jacob Wehr, and Josh Fahey – via the Rookie Draft, who helped clear space for younger talent.