The GIANTS are confident they possess the forward firepower and the physical strength to test the Swans in Saturday’s opening round derby at Spotless Stadium.
The Swans are fancied to mount another strong premiership challenge, while third-year franchise GWS is determined to far exceed the one win it tallied last season.
Both teams will field well-credentialed debutants, but just as striking are some of the omissions.
Former Hawthorn spearhead Lance Franklin and ex-Carlton defender Jeremy Laidler will each play their first premiership games for the Swans.
The Swans could find no room for former club champion Ryan O'Keefe, even though they were unable to pick the recuperating Adam Goodes and Kurt Tippett.
The GIANTS will field four newcomers, three of them premiership players in ruckman Shane Mumford (ex-Swans), and defenders Josh Hunt (ex-Geelong) and Heath Shaw (ex-Collingwood), plus former Bulldogs small forward Dylan Addison.
The GIANTS couldn't squeeze in former Swans midfielder Jed Lamb, and the top two picks from last year's NAB AFL Draft, Tom Boyd and Josh Kelly.
GWS forward Jeremy Cameron is set to play, having no obvious mobility issues at training on Friday after rolling an ankle last week.
GIANTS coach Leon Cameron was adamant his side could handle the Franklin-Sam Reid combination and pose the Swans problems with their own forwards.
"They've got a very, very potent forward line, but we're confident our backline has really progressed over the last couple of months," Cameron said.
"In saying that, we're very happy with our potent forward line as well.
"With Cameron and Jonathon Patton and Jonathan Giles as well, we feel as though we can put the acid on Sydney's backs."
New recruit Josh Hunt has played in 198 games and won two premierships for Geelong, but he is still feeling butterflies ahead of his first game for his new club.
“It’s a big occasion and at a new club, I still get the nerves which I sort of enjoy and think it’s a great thing,” Hunt said.
“I’ve just got to and make sure I don’t spend too much energy worrying and just get out there and play footy.”
Birthday boy Hunt, who turned 32 today, is just as excited as his coach to see the club’s new recruits out on the field.
“It’s Round 1 and obviously at a new club, it’s always exciting,” Hunt said.
“I’m just looking forward to getting out there with my new team and a new bunch of guys and just seeing how we fare against one of the competition’s best which is a massive challenge for us but one we’re looking forward to.
“I’m looking forward to seeing these more mature-bodied guys who have spent a lot more time in the gym and just looking forward to seeing how we stack up against the physicality of the Swans, it will be interesting to see.”
GIANTS v Swans
Saturday March 15, 4.40pm
Spotless Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park (formerly Skoda Stadium)
