THE REIGNING premiers and a power club revitalised by an old adversary – Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy couldn't have hoped for a better start to his 29th AFL season in charge.

Sheedy's Giants will test themselves against Carlton, now under the tutelage of his old foe Mick Malthouse, and the Sydney Swans in the opening round of the NAB Cup in Blacktown on Sunday.

The 65-year-old, who has squared off against Malthouse 46 times, has warned his young charges what to expect when their second season starts.

Sheedy wasted no time in sparing with his former Richmond team-mate.

"You've got grumpy Micky Malthouse, he's heading up here,” Sheedy said.

"He's a grandfather now, he's been retired for twelve months. He'll have to get the rust out of the system.

Sheedy said that the GIANTS would not underestimate the Blues on Sunday but quipped that his young squad had a better chance of winning this year’s Premiership.

"I know Mick and he'll be really wired up and ready to go.

"I explained that to my players - don't think he's going to come up here and not take the first round of the NAB Cup seriously.

"Because if you know Mick Malthouse, he's serious about everything he ever does.

"I don't think they've got much chance (at the Premiership) at all.

“Not with Grumpy in charge. We've got a better chance than Carlton, don't worry about that. They don't know what's coming, we do. We've been watching them for a long time.

"It's a great opportunity to find out where we are."

Malthouse and Sheedy, counterparts who came to represent Essendon and Collingwood's Anzac Day rivalry, have been swapping barbs for over 20 years.

The VFL/AFL's two most experienced coaches outside Jock McHale will again square off on the weekend, with Swans coach John Longmire the man in the middle of Sunday's triple-header.

"[They're] two of the most experienced and successful coaches that have ever been part of the game. I'm very much the new kid on the block, and hopefully I learn a few things this weekend," Longmire said.

Sheedy, who took four seasons off between his storied stint at Essendon and new beginning at the Giants, said Malthouse would be a force in 2013 after his one-year break from coaching.

"He's a very good coach. His coaching record will tell you that, he'll be ready after 12 months off," Sheedy said of the man who has coached three premiership sides, one less than him.

"That (one year) is a lot shorter than what I had off , and he'll be ready to fire."