THERE is a palpable belief emanating out of Greater Western Sydney, with the second-year Giants boldly stating their aim to knock off the reigning premiers in their round-one clash next week.

Members of the Giants and Sydney Swans gathered on the city's foreshore on Wednesday ahead of the game at ANZ Stadium, which has been dubbed the Battle of the Bridge.

The Swans won both matches against the young Giants in 2012 by a combined 157 points and are almost unbackable favourites to make it three straight on March 30.

But GWS has shown improvement over the pre-season, including a victory over an understrength Swans side in round one of the NAB Cup, and plans to take it right up to its more fancied rival.

"Certainly, we go into every game planning to win, anticipating to win, and it'll be no different against the Swans," GWS vice-captain Tom Scully told AFL.com.au.

"It'd be an ideal start to our season to build some belief and some confidence.

"We're preparing as best we can to have a red-hot crack at them and obviously see how we go on March 30."

While the Swans used the pre-season to test some youngsters and get some miles into their veterans' legs, the Giants used it to gain experience and become battle-hardened for the season ahead.

Swans utility Lewis Roberts-Thomson admits GWS "caught them off guard" in the NAB Cup and is anticipating a stern test next week.

"No doubt. We saw them first-hand and they had a strong side on the park and played exceptionally well," he said.

"A lot of their players have matured over the last 12 months and put on a bit of size and you can see that their fitness across the board is really, really good.

"We respect every opposition we come up against and round one against the Giants is no different.
"We're looking forward to the game."

For the first time the Giants have some depth at their disposal, with plenty of positions up for grabs for their round one team.

The likes of Sam Frost, Bret Thornton and Setanta O'hAilpin are putting pressure on Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton in the forward line, while there are a host of options in the midfield.

Rhys Palmer, Anthony Miles, Jacob Townsend and Nathan Wilson, who all played senior football in 2012, shone for the reserves last week.

Scully believes the Giants, in just their second season at the top level, will have a very different look in 2013.
"It's starting to come together," he said.

"This time last year we were probably trying to put a side together and fill players, whereas this year there's a lot of pressure for spots.

"I think it's been evident even in the NAB Cup series that if guys haven't performed or played the team roles as the coaches have liked, they've probably found themselves out of the side.

"We've got some guys playing really good footy in the NEAFL competition as well, which is creating internal pressure, and that's only a good thing for us."

Tom Scully is a midfielder in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged 73.89 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.

James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD