GIANTS youngster Tim Taranto will achieve a rare feat on Sunday against Adelaide when he becomes the club's first round one debutant since 2013.

Not since a pair of Lachies, Whitfield and Plowman, played in the GIANTS’ opening game against Sydney at ANZ Stadium four years ago, has a draftee made the club's first team of the season, with the likes of Tom Boyd, Josh Kelly and Jacob Hopper all forced to bide their time in the reserves before making the big time. 

Given GWS has been touted as premiership favourites by many, it makes Taranto's achievement even more impressive.

The 19-year-old earned widespread praise for his courage during the JLT Community Series, after shaking off a bone-jarring clash with Swans superstar Lance Franklin, who was bumped into the young GIANT by teammate Shane Mumford, to kick a crucial goal just minutes later and lay six tackles for the match. 

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Taranto said he gained great confidence from his three pre-season matches and wants to build his game on his hardness at the footy and courage. 

"I think you have to at this level," he said. 

"I try and match it with the bigger boys, and I have to bring that if I want to play in this team. 

"This week 'Mummy' (Mumford) told me it's all thanks to him I'm getting a game this week, but I think anyone would have done it, it was just that I was the one that was in that position."

Taranto announced himself at the Giants when he finished fifth in their 3km time trial on the first day back after the Christmas break, pushing renowned elite runners like Tom Scully, Adam Tomlinson and recruit Tendai Mzungu in the process.

GWS coach Leon Cameron said Taranto had pushed his case for an early debut from the moment he walked into the club late last year, and had certainly proven himself ready to play senior footy before his quality performances in the JLT Community Series. 

"There's lots of little moments you see throughout the pre-season, I don't think it's one particular act," he said. 

"Obviously against the Swans he got hit hard and got up, and it's great that a young kid at that level can do that.

"But it's also his running ability over pre-season, his ability to stick at it through the tough times in January and February when you're training Monday, Wednesday, Friday, doing two-hour sessions.

"It's his honesty, and the way he's fitted into the group."