GREATER Western Sydney midfielder Tom Scully believes he's found the perfect place to call home at the Giants, and couldn't be happier ahead of game 100.
The quietly-spoken Victorian says the life he's set up in Sydney, plus the culture the club has created since he arrived, has helped him produce his most consistent season.
The 24-year-old has played all but one of the Giants' games this season – he missed the round 13 loss to North Melbourne with illness – and is averaging almost 22 possessions per game.
"I've really enjoyed my time since coming to Sydney and I think this club is fantastic," Scully said on Wednesday.
"For me being up here, just going about my business, it's certainly been the best thing for me and my football.
"Once I came up here and made the decision I knew I was going to be here for a long time, I haven't looked back.
"I feel really comfortable with where everything is at in terms of my football, and my life outside."
One of the club's first big-name signings back in 2011, Scully will reach three figures against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon in his fourth season at the club.
The priority number one pick at the 2009 NAB AFL draft copped plenty of criticism for leaving Melbourne to sign with the Giants after just two seasons at the Demons.
The constant media attention surrounding the value of his contract at GWS and his on-field form may have seemed like a lot of pressure for Scully to handle, but he says it has never affected him.
"Obviously there's been a bit of external talk, but internally I haven't changed anything in terms of my preparation or the way I go about things," Scully said.
"I've just focused on what I control, and that's just preparing myself as best as possible and trying to perform on the weekend.
"At the end of the day I get given a role on the weekend, and my teammates expect me to do that.
"If I can walk off the field and say that I've given my best, I can be satisfied with that.
"All that external stuff has never been a factor in my thinking."
The vice-captain praised the Giants' off-field team, and says the recent re-signing of young stars like Dylan Shiel, Jeremy Cameron and Stephen Coniglio is a direct result of how well the club has been set up.
Scully says that while the playing group doesn't discuss it publicly or even amongst themselves, they all realise just how lucky they are.
"I think it just shows that the culture of this club is really strong, they would have had big offers to go elsewhere but they've been here from the start and helped build this footy club," Scully said.
"They certainly want to see where this club can go too, because I think if we all stay together, we all know that we've got a pretty special bond and we can achieve some things going forward.
"Guys know, deep down, that it is a special opportunity. It might be a long time before there's another expansion club, so to be a part of that is something special."
