The GIANTS focus has turned quickly back to winning this year's premiership after returning to training on Monday.
Like all clubs, the GIANTS were back on the track in groups of seven or eight during their session to start the week as clubs gear up for the resumption of the AFL season on June 11.
And after being crunched in last year's Grand Final by Richmond, the GIANTS' attention is firmly on taking a step further.
Veteran defender Heath Shaw, whose retirement plans for the end of this season are up in the air after the COVID-19 shake-up, said the GIANTS had returned hungry.
"You do lose track of the bigger picture because it's so far down the track. We just wanted to get back to training and get ready for round two and from there it's business as usual for us," he said.
"There is a premiership up for grabs and we've understood that from day one of pre-season back in December, and definitely for a guy who's a little bit older than everyone else and getting so close last year, that's in the back of my mind.
"That's our main focus and we know we've got to do the hard yards in the build up to that but we're definitely ready to roll."
The 34-year-old half-back had entered 2020 viewing it as his last year in the AFL.
However the 309-gamer and Collingwood premiership backman said the shortened season meant those plans could be revised.
He is also expected to take up a more hands-on approach off the field this season given the 'soft cap' salary restrictions has meant football departments have lost staff due to the coronavirus fallout.
"Cutting back on staff is something that all clubs have had to do, but it just means other people will have to pick up the slack," Shaw said.
"I know as an older statesman and one of the more experienced players, and a few of the older guys, we're going to have to help in terms of that leadership and it might be in coaching as well.
"We understand that and we're willing to do anything to get us into a position to win a premiership. If that means putting in some extra time doing some extra stuff, then we're going to have to do it.
"It's been thrust upon us but you have to roll with the punches and I think everyone's embracing it."
