Almost five months later, four of the five are in line to play at Skoda Stadium on Saturday evening. We look at how they've evolved over the course of the year and what to watch out for.
Tomas Bugg
Pre Round 2
Brady Rawlings: "He wasn't seen much at TAC Cup level for Gippsland because of school football at Caulfield Grammar. He's a classy player, hard at it, a very good use of the football and can read the play excellently."
Since
Bugg was an instrumental part of the Giants' shock win over Port Adelaide in Round 19. Three goals and 14 possessions demonstrated another dimension to his game. In previous weeks he had been playing more through the midfield, racking up a combined 53 disposals against Fremantle and Collingwood.
Rawlings' description of 'classy' and 'hard at it' is apt. The Giants as a team average a disposal efficiency of 71.7, but Bugg runs at 76 per cent. He also sits sixth for the side in total one percenters, ahead of the likes of Luke Power, Callan Ward and Rhys Palmer.
Jonathan Giles
Pre Round 2
Brady Rawlings: "Giles spent time on Port Adelaide's list, and had a very good season for Sturt in the SANFL two years ago. He was then pre-listed because he'd already gone through an AFL draft. A very strong ruckman who works extremely hard around the ground."
Since
Much like Bugg, Giles has turned in spectacular performances in each of the Giants' two wins this season. In its maiden victory over Gold Coast he kicked two crucial goals in the final quarter as GWS came from behind at the final change.
Then against Port Adelaide, he collected 26 hitouts, 23 possessions and 2 goals to be arguably best on ground as the Giants triumphed in Kevin Sheedy's 1000th game.
Todd Goldstein will be looking to bounce back from lowering his colours to Aaron Sandilands, yet he'll have his hands full with the promising young ruckman at Skoda Stadium.
Curtly Hampton
Pre Round 2
Brady Rawlings: "He actually trained at Aegis Park for a week, three or four years ago with the AIS. He seems like he should be 21 or 22 because he's been ready to go at AFL level for a long time now. He'll start forward but in time he'll move up through the midfield and have an influence on games from there. His size, skills and hands in close will be a big part of his game."
Since
Rawlings was correct in saying Hampton would move away from the forward line. However he has moved even further than Rawlings anticipated spending time in the defensive 50 in previous weeks.
His skills have been put to use with an increased number of rebound 50's. His average of 4.4 over the last nine games would have him sitting top at the Giants if the number was maintained over the whole year.
In due time, playing Hampton in various positions over the ground will allow him to have a greater understanding of what is needed to succeed in each area.
Adam Kennedy
Pre Round 2
Brady Rawlings: "Kennedy played for Vic Metro and Western Jets last year before being drafted as a 19 year old. He was mainly a hard running midfielder for the Jets before starting back for GWS. He can win a lot of the ball down back and he'll eventually start working through the centre.
"He's good overhead for his size and since his time at the Jets he's improved his efforts in the contest."
Since
Kennedy has shown admirable courage in battling through a series of shoulder knocks to post 14 games in his first season. While his output has dipped slightly since the opening rounds of the year, the foundation for a long and successful career has been laid down.
As Rawlings suggested, Kennedy has won a lot of the ball and while doing so has proven himself to be a quality ball user. Amongst players who have played more than 10 games for the season, Kennedy sits second at the club in disposal efficiency behind only key defender Tim Mohr.
