Joshua Kelly, the No.2 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft, will make his Greater Western Sydney debut on Saturday and has revealed the cross-town rival he one day hopes to emulate.

The GIANTS arrived in Wagga Wagga in south west NSW on Friday, ahead of their NAB Challenge match against St Kilda at Robertson Oval.

Named earlier this week to make his competitive bow, Kelly can barely hide his excitement at the prospect of running onto the ground with his teammates and starting to hone his game at the top level.

In the lead-up to last year's draft, Kelly was regularly compared to a young version of Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury.

But it's another midfielder from round one foe the Sydney Swans the young GIANT models his game on.

"Jarrad McVeigh, just his work ethic, he's always one of the hardest workers on the ground and just gets to contest after contest," Kelly told AFL.com.au.

"He also has a good balance of contested and uncontested footy and down the line that's something I really want to make a focus.

"He's damaging on the outside, but can go inside and make an impact.

"We're similar body size and hopefully one day I can be a similar weight.

"To have that flexibility to his game too is really impressive."

The fifth pick back in the 2002 draft, McVeigh is a great choice as a role model, the Swans' co-captain picking up his first All Australian jumper and a second best and fairest in a stellar 2013 campaign.

Kelly also has another strong influence close at hand - his father Phil, who won two Sandover Medals with East Perth in the WAFL before spending five seasons with North Melbourne.

GWS coach Leon Cameron has already noted Kelly's professionalism and work ethic and the 19-year-old credits his dad with that aspect of his football.

"Dad has definitely helped with that," he said. "I just always make sure I prepare the best so I can get the best out of myself.

"I don’t want to go into a game or a training session feeling like I'm under prepared.

"Dad's got a great knowledge of football so after games we'll run through my game and he'll give me a few pointers.

"Just having him to bounce ideas off has been really good."

An obvious standout at junior level, Kelly now finds himself jostling for position with the GIANTS' deep group of talented midfielders.

Tom Scully and Adam Treloar in particular have impressed the former Sandringham Dragon.

"There are a lot of really impressive players in the midfield group and they've been giving me pointers all pre-season," Kelly said.

"Tom Scully is just a freak athlete, his endurance is unbelievable. Just watching his running patterns and the way he works to contests, I've tried to learn from him.

"Adam Treloar is also a gun player and a workhorse who's always trying to improve. So I've taken bits from the way they go about it.

"Every day I'm in the gym, I'm running harder, I'm getting to more contests, skills are better because you're always doing extra sessions - I've definitely noticed a difference."

There were some tough early moments as Kelly came to terms with the fact he'd be leaving friends and family in Melbourne to move to Sydney. 

But he has settled in well and is now living out the dream he has had for as long as he can remember.

"I've wanted to be an AFL player my whole life," he said.

"I can't wait to finally get out on the ground tomorrow with the GIANTS.

"I haven't played a game yet, but I've done everything I can to feel AFL ready and be competitive out on the ground.

"I think I'm ready to go out there and give it my best shot."