FORMER Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen has made a huge impression on his first day at Greater Western Sydney by winning the club's 3km time trial.

 

The 28-year-old two-time club best and fairest and All Australian shocked the football world when he requested a trade to the Giants during the trade period.

 

The trade was eventually done when last year's No.1 draft pick, key forward Tom Boyd, joined the Bulldogs in exchange for Griffen and pick No.6.

 

Griffen, who played 202 games at the Bulldogs, only arrived in Sydney on Sunday but rattled home to defeat defender Nick Haynes and midfielder Dylan Shiel.

 

"It's been interesting all morning getting to know the boys, and then to come out and do a 3km time trial was pretty nerve-racking but we got through it," he told the club's website.

Griffen said he was focused on settling in and getting to know his teammates as quickly as possible. He is staying with former Bulldogs teammate and Giants co-captain Callan Ward.

 

While not overly enthusiastic about starting his day with a time trial, Ward was excited to be back into training and said there was a great feeling around the club at this time of the year.

 

"Day one's always a tough one so to get that time trial over and done with, I'm pretty relieved," Ward said.

Alongside the exciting Griffen, the Giants also welcomed key defender Joel Patfull to the club after recruiting him during the trade period.

 

Patfull, 29, was a two-time best and fairest at the Lions.