JOSH Hunt would not have joined Greater Western Sydney if he believed he couldn't contribute significantly to their on-field fortunes.

 

In September, at age 31 and with 198 games under his belt, Hunt was told by Geelong – a club he started at in 2001 – that his services were no longer required.

 

It was difficult to stomach at the time but he quickly moved on, and realised he still had the desire to continue his career elsewhere.

 

A trade was struck between Geelong and GWS and Hunt became a Giant.

 

"That was the big thing for me. If I was playing bad footy, or if my body was failing me, then the decision would be easy (to retire)," Hunt told AFL.com.au.

 

"The fact is that I still felt like I still had a bit to give in footy and the people that I'd spoken to said the same thing. I'm not a person who wants to walk away from something with 'what ifs'.

 

"I'll play until the game's done with me or I become a liability and I'm done with footy."

 

In Hunt and former Pie Heath Shaw, the Giants saw the opportunity to bolster their leaky defence with some much-needed experience.

 

The Giants knew the backline was an area that needed addressing after they conceded the most points of any AFL team in 2013. 

 

Hunt and Shaw will play integral roles as on-field marshals in the backline next season. However, their worth will not just be limited to on-field causes.

 

Shaw and fellow marquee recruit Shane Mumford have joined defender Stephen Gilham in the leadership group for 2014.

 

And although Hunt was not included in the group he will still dish out advice to his younger teammates if they come asking for it.

 

"I'm not going to go jamming it down people's throats," Hunt said.

 

"But anytime they want a question or someone wants some advice on some stuff then we're always open and giving them the feedback that they want."

 

The Giants veteran was in unfamiliar territory when this pre-season started. Instead of having Joel Selwood or Matthew Scarlett barking out the instructions, he had players 10 or 15 years his junior telling him what to do.

 

Not that he minded in the slightest.

 

Hunt was part of a settled back six unit at the Cats. However, their cohesiveness wasn't established overnight.

 

It took years at the Cats for Hunt to understand each of his teammates' strengths and weaknesses. And to trust, when he was out of position, that they would roll over and cover for him.

 

Hunt believes that process could be fast tracked given the accelerated development of the young Giants.

  

"I'm not big on timeframes. You could sit here and say it might happen in six months, but it could happen a lot quicker than that," Hunt said.

 

"The way that these guys listen, learn and adapt I wouldn't think it will take them all that long.

 

"It's just about everyone getting out there and being on the same page.

 

"But that's not to say, in a short amount of time, that these young guys can't have a similar kind of bond."

 

Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie