Saturday’s win over Hawthorn was historic for a number of reasons as the GIANTS beat the three time reigning premiers for the second year in a row, and bid farewell to the man who helped build the club.

Yesterday’s game was Graeme ‘Gubby’ Allan’s final day at the club as the GIANTS’ former General Manager of Football bid farewell to the club he helped build.

In February, 2010 former Brisbane Lions Football Manager Graeme Allan was appointed to the GIANTS’ Football Department as Football Manager.

Over five years at the club, Allan has been instrumental in building all aspects of the GIANTS, including the list build and new training and administration base at Sydney Olympic Park.

On announcing Allan’s departure last month, GIANTS Chief Executive Officer David Matthews highlighted Allan's vast contribution to the GIANTS. 
 
“I was involved in appointing Gubby to the Team GWS group that evolved into the GIANTS of today - he has been ideal for a start-up club given his wealth of experience, his resilience and his successful track record," Matthews said.
 
"He played a pivotal role, along with former head coach Kevin Sheedy and current Senior Assistant Coach Alan McConnell, in preparing the club for entry to the AFL by overseeing our list build, managing all football operations and guiding the club's welfare program. His legacy to the GIANTS, and therefore the AFL, is immense. He has done an incredible job setting us up for future success.
 
"And as someone who has been involved in football for over four decades, Gubby's broader contribution to the game also can't be understated, something that was recognised last year with AFL Life Membership.
 
"Gubby will always be a big part of the GIANTS family and we're delighted he has agreed to be on the panel that will identify his successor, as was the case when Kevin Sheedy worked on the succession plan to Leon Cameron.”