Wingard a Giant mistake

If two weeks is a long time in football, two years is an eternity.

And Greater Western Sydney's recruiters might just be wishing they could go back in time to the 2011 national draft.

The Giants were given a huge opportunity to set up their future when handed eight of the first 10 picks ahead of the expansion side's debut season in 2012.

It is far too early to say whether they made the most of those concessions, but Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard is likely to be the origin of some red faces at Blacktown.

Wingard's latest performance - a match-winning role in Port's elimination final against Collingwood last Saturday night - continued what has become the norm for a youngster in just his second season at the elite level.

Wingard has defied the second-year blues, rocketing into All-Australian contention and propelling Port into the finals for the first time since 2007.

The 20-year-old South Australian is blessed with pace, skill and an ability to win his own football, but he also has an uncanny knack of stepping up when his side needs him most.

So why did GWS call out five other names before the Power gleefully snatched Wingard with the sixth selection in that draft?

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan admitted Wingard's rapid rise had been surprising, but said he had always been highly rated.

"To be a consistent AFL player wouldn't be a surprise but to be playing at the level he has within two years is a remarkable performance. He is doing some freakish things consistently," Sheehan said.

"Most people thought he was the best South Australian young player and in the handful of top picks.

"I don't know the inner thinkings of the Giants but he had been concussed quite a number of times in his career, whether that was a factor I don't know."

There was no shortage of evidence of the SA under-18 captain's talent before draft day.

"His brilliance around goals and his clearance work were the great features of his play," Sheehan said. "He actually took probably the best mark outside of the AFL that you would see playing in the SANFL."

Jonathon Patton, Stephen Coniglio, Dom Tyson, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Matt Buntine were taken before Wingard.

Patton has struggled with injuries, but those five players have combined to play just 81 games and kick 33 goals as Wingard has tallied 42 appearances and booted 52 majors for Port.

Sheehan said Wingard would be the No.1 pick if the draft was held tomorrow.

"This might vary because some of those taller players might jump up, but right at the minute, if you had the draft again today, he would be the pick of the bunch," Sheehan said.

Port Adelaide director of coaching Alan Richardson was at Carlton when Wingard was taken in the draft, but knew of the Murray Bridge product.

Richardson, who missed the 1990 Collingwood premiership with a broken collarbone sustained in the second semifinal, has coached at five AFL clubs since hanging up the boots. But he is hard pressed to remember a better second year than the one produced by Wingard in 2013.

"I would have to think long and hard and I have been involved with some pretty good players," Richardson said.

"He has been outstanding."

Richardson said Wingard had not been affected by the hype surrounding him.

"There is always that worry with young guys that they'll end up putting too much pressure on themselves," he said.

"He certainly has a life away from footy and I think that enables him to put all that stuff to one side and when it's time to perform, he goes out there with real clarity in terms of what he needs to do to play."

With the game in the balance against Collingwood last weekend, Wingard was asked to produce something special.

And as he has done so often this season, he responded, finishing the game with 19 possessions and three goals in his first final.

"Whilst we were reasonably pleased with the way Chad was going, the reality was that he had been that guy often for us," Richardson said.

"In the games that we have come from behind or the games that have been a bit of an arm wrestle and we have needed a lift, he has been able to provide that. He was pretty impressive in that last quarter."

Richardson said Wingard relished the big moments.

"He does want the ball in that situation and that's something that not every player on an AFL list possesses," he said.

"He really does lift to get the team over the line, but coupled with that his want to have the ball in his hands is unquestioned.

"He loves being the person that is under pressure and has to finish off."

Richardson is hoping Wingard rises in tonight's semifinal against Geelong at the MCG.

If he does it is likely some at GWS will be feeling even more regret for the one who got away.