The Giant under the microscope ahead of Sydney Derby

Kane Cornes has set his sights on one of the competition’s best ahead of this Saturday’s qualifying final derby.

The GWS Giants are set to battle with cross-town rivals Sydney in their first double-chance clash since 2017, and with the stakes at a maximum, Cornes is eyeing off a big performance from one Giant in particular.

23-year-old midfielder Tom Green has been an AFL media mainstay in recent years, touting himself as one of the competition’s best, speaking candidly in an interview with AFL Media.

"I do believe (I am one of the best), and it's my goal, I'm striving to be the best player in the competition. I don't think that's that outrageous of a statement", Green said.

While Green has enjoyed several honours in his now five-year career, including an All-Australian nomination in 2023, Cornes wants more from the outspoken Giant, particularly as they approach their contest against the minor premiers.

“I really enjoyed the article from Riley Beveridge a few days ago on Tom Green from the Giants”, Cornes told SEN’s Breakfast.

“It basically goes into detail of how he is the new age footballer, and how a lot of these footballers now are watching how the American athlete carry themselves and how confident they are in their own abilities.

“Tom essentially believes he is the best player in football.

“He’s got that belief in him that ‘I’m the guy, I’m the best player in football’.

“So, if you believe you are the best player in football, you are in the gun, and when you do an article like this and you say that, then it’s about not what you say but what you do.”

With his elite frame and physical prowess in the contest, Cornes is looking to Green as the anchor for the Giants, with the star-studded Sydney mix in the centre of the park holding up as a major concern.

“Can he go to the SCG against this all-conquering Sydney midfield and be the guy”, Cornes questioned.

“Can he be the Giants’ Patrick Cripps, can he be the Bulldogs’ (Marcus) Bontempelli, is he that version for the Giants?

“He is six foot five, he’s 105 kilograms, he can rip the heart on the SCG out of Sydney in that midfield, so I’ve got him in the gun.

“I reckon his form has been pretty good in the last month, I know you spoke about his form a little bit earlier on in the year and he just dropped off, but he has played like that grown man that we know that he can be.

“But when you put yourself out there like this, there’s nothing wrong with that, we love it, but you have got to back it up on field.”

Green will look to back up his almighty statement as the Giants and the Swans face off on Saturday afternoon.