AFL Central West: Giants coach Mark Kennedy wants improved kicking in front of goal in grand final rematch

Giants lost the 2020 grand final last September 19-14-128 to 8-4-52 to its local rivals, however, it was the first time the club had qualified for the tier one decider.

With a slightly different team in 2020 compared to last year, Giants coach Mark Kennedy is hoping this the match at George Park 2 won't result in a similar blowout.

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"It's a different look team we had last year. We've got a few new players into the team, that have settled really well," he said.

"They've been training for quite some time. We'll compete and I hope there's not a blow-out. We'll put the best side we have available on the park and go from there."

Giants enjoyed a massive win in the opening round of the AFL Central West last Saturday, smashing rivals Dubbo Demons 23-21-159 to 8-8-56.

While Kennedy was away for that match - the coaching responsibilities fell to Shane Broes for the day - he noticed the amount of behinds scored by his team.

"We need to work on goal kicking I reckon, I think it was 23-21 last week," he said.

"I was in Sydney for my auntie's birthday and I got regular updates. I think what came from it as well was transitioning with the hand pass to get us out of trouble.

"We've been working on that and possession football as well.

"My philosophy this year is if you can maintain possession of the football, we're scoring and the opposition doesn't have the opportunity to."

Kennedy believes his players will have to be on their game when dealing with Bushrangers' transitions after turnovers, citing that as a really great aspect of their game.

"They're really well structured on a turnover," he said.

"As soon as they get possession, they move the ball quite quickly and up to the forward line. That's something we'll need to react to better.

"We also need to manage the outside players the Bushrangers have, instead of everyone going after the football, rather than everyone going for it."

Play is set to get underway from George Park 2 at 2.15pm, with the tier two Giants playing the Bushrangers Rebels at 11am.

The tier two Giants are fresh off a 10-7-67 to 7-10-52 win over Dubbo last week and Kennedy said he was pleased with numbers in the team.

"It's a great avenue for us to develop those fringe players coming into first grade," he said.

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