Giants coach Adam Kingsley demands young forward line learn to 'support' Jesse Hogan
GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley has admitted his side need to work out how to better "support" Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan, after their shock five-point loss to Brisbane on Saturday night.
While Hogan kicked five goals and played his role to near perfection, the Giants still managed to cough up a 44-point lead as the Lions clawed home, kicking six goals to one in the final term.
It's forced the Giants out in straight sets, with their chances to chase maiden premiership glory ended early yet again.
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But a calm yet disappointed Kingsley knows exactly where his side went wrong.
And it starts with his forward line.
Adam Kingsley cracked it in the GWs coaches box, as the Lions kicked five in a row. Fox Footy
"We need to support him (Hogan) a little better," Kingsley said post match.
"We've known that."
However, the coach isn't rushing his young side into premiership perfection just yet.
"I think when you look at our forward line, it is still really quite young with some of the players we've played there across the year," Kingsley said.
Jesse Hogan of the Giants looks on. Getty
"Harvey Thomas didn't play tonight. Toby McMullin didn't play. They're both 19 or 20 and have contributed really strongly across the course of the year.
"I think we've got a lot of growth there, and I think the support (for Hogan) will come."
The Giants fell agonisingly short last season, going down in the preliminary final to Collingwood by one point.
And now, it's happened again.
Tom Green of the Giants looks dejected after their loss to the Lions. via Getty Images
"We thought we learned our lessons from last week against the Swans. 28 points up against them. Tonight was the same story, unfortunately," he said.
"It would appear we haven't yet learned that lesson to still be proactive ... to remain aggressive, to be aware of the opposition a little bit when they do roll the dice and roll forward.
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"We're not a finished product yet. I've been saying that all year. Unfortunately, it's evident," he said.
"We're not yet the premiership brand.
"You put yourself in a position to win the game, you should win the game. And we haven't."
