The GIANTS and Swans have played out a draw in greasy conditions at GIANTS Stadium as both teams blew out the cobwebs in their first hit-out of the year.

The GIANTS, who led for much of the match, saw flashes of brilliance from their A-Grade midfield as captain Stephen Coniglio and the smooth-moving Josh Kelly dominated the game's early stages before being phased out of the match.

The experienced pair were well supported by second-year onballer Tom Green, who won plenty of contested footy and appears set to build on the promising development he showcased last season.

First-round pick Tanner Bruhn was another GIANTS standout, playing as a high half-forward and finishing his day with a classy goal on the run, with Tim Taranto also sharing his time evenly between midfield and attack.

The two sides will do battle again in eight days' time at GIANTS Stadium in the AAMI Community Series.

04:06

Practice Match Post-Match: Toby Greene

Toby Greene chats to GIANTS Media after a solid hit-out against the Swans at GIANTS Stadium.

Young guns

For the GIANTS, No.12 pick Tanner Bruhn did some good things and kicked a nice goal to press his case for a round one debut. A host of the club's other youngsters, including Jacob Wehr and Connor Stone, are expected to appear later in the day as reserves players from both sides compete in a half of action throughout the afternoon. 

Switching positions

Is a new role on the cards for GIANTS veteran Callan Ward? With new recruit Braydon Preuss sidelined by a shoulder injury and the experienced Shane Mumford set to take a back seat to youngster Matthew Flynn this season, the 30-year-old Ward spent large periods of Saturday's game playing as the second ruckman. Make no mistake, Flynn still did the bulk of the ruck work as Ward found himself on a wing for the overwhelming majority of the contest. However, as the match wore on and as Flynn went to the bench, Ward competed against both Tom Hickey and Callum Sinclair in ruck battles across the field. Could he be the Shaun Grigg of season 2021? 

Round one bolters

There were some terrific signs from GIANTS youngster Matthew Flynn, who looks set for an AFL debut in the coming weeks following an imposing display. In the absence of new recruit Braydon Preuss, who underwent shoulder surgery last week, Flynn held his own against the experienced Tom Hickey and perhaps even shaded the ruck battle across the afternoon. Pencil the 200cm and 103kg youngster, who is a graduate from the GIANTS Academy, in for round one.