NEW GREATER Western Sydney midfielder Callan Ward has admitted the financial gain of becoming a Giant played a part in influencing his decision to leave the Western Bulldogs this week.

While former Fremantle player Rhys Palmer says more opportunity, and a chance to leave the fishbowl that is Perth, was behind his decision to join the Giants.

Ward, 21, and Palmer were announced as the Giants' first two uncontracted player signings on Wednesday morning after informing their respective clubs they were departing after the last game of the home and away season. 

Ward said the decision was something he had thought about plenty this season, but didn't formally choose the Giants over the Dogs until last week.

He also said the money on offer from the Giants - despite the Dogs revealing they had offered him a five-year deal worth 40-50 per cent more than what they considered his market value at the start of the year - was certainly a lure.

"It's obviously a factor and it can play in the decision, but there was plenty more to it than that," he said, at the players' first media call in the orange and charcoal on Wednesday at Breakfast Point.

"I've been in the western suburbs my whole life and I think this is all part of my football journey.

"I'm here now and I'm really looking forward to starting a new life in Greater Western Sydney."

Ward has been the subject of intense media scrutiny over his future for some time and admits he was riddled with nerves before he was officially introduced as a Giant on Wednesday.

"I was always nervous for that press conference and with all the media over me, especially over the last two weeks, it's been hard to deal with I guess," Ward told afl.com.au.

"But now I'm really looking forward to spending some time at home and just relax a little bit now. It's all happened so quickly.

"I was rushed up here and it's great to finally have a look at Breakfast Point (where the young Giants players are based), all the boys have been really friendly, and I can't wait to move here."

Fremantle announced on Tuesday Palmer had informed them he was leaving the club and intended to join the Giants.

He also said he didn't make up his mind until last week. He told his coaches over the weekend after he was ruled out of Fremantle's final home and away clash - incidentally, against the Bulldogs - with groin soreness.

"I spoke to a lot of people, close family and friends, and I've definitely come to the right decision and I'm happy to be here," he said.

"I had a really up and down season last year, playing a different role, and I'm looking forward to coming to the Giants and hopefully sneaking into the midfield.

"I was walking around today and there's a lot of talented boys here so I'm looking forward to working with them all."

Ward had been a target of speculation since June when his mother Kerri revealed to The Age her son had been offered a sizeable deal from the Giants and given a two-week deadline to make his mind - something which was later refuted by the club.

The young midfielder admitted he had been surprised at the media attention he generated this season, and that journalists were still contacting his mother this week for comment on the situation.
 
"It was tough. I tried to focus as much as I could, and to play football as best as I could and I was completely committed to the Bulldogs at the time, and I was all year," he said.

"Now I'm just looking forward to playing football on the weekends and having fun with my teammates."

Both Ward and Palmer said they left their respective clubs with the blessing of their teammates and coaches, and had consulted their families about their big decision.

They were also both anticipating the opportunity to take on a leadership role at the new club, while Palmer was looking forward to playing in a state where the spotlight would be reduced.

"I think that's one thing that attracted me to this place," he said.

"In WA, it's a small fish tank and everyone knows everyone so coming across here, it's going to be a great challenge but I'm looking forward to it."

Giants coach Kevin Sheedy made no apologies for recruiting the two from rival clubs, and said players moving within the AFL was not something new.

"I think it's been happening for awhile, every time we bring in a new franchise," he said.

"When we're trying to grow the game, we have to have an expansive mind as a group of footy fans and people who are running the clubs.

"They understand they voted we would go to 18 clubs, and the journey starts somewhere."

The Giants are expected to announce "a few more" uncontracted player signings over the next few days, with Adelaide's Phil Davis poised to join after he told the Crows he was leaving last month.

Sheedy said he was pleased with the way the inaugural list, which will be bolstered in November with the Giants holding nine of the first 15 selections at the NAB AFL Draft, was shaping up.

"It's coming together really well and we've got a long way to go," he said.

"With these sorts of calibre of players that will build a really great midfield and goal to goal line, then everyone else in the sports world will understand it's definitely happening."

Giants' CEO Dale Holmes said Ward and Palmer had arrived at the club with "high expectations", and acknowledged the difficult decision the two young players had to make.

He also said it was a choice everyone "needed to respect", and paid tribute to the Bulldogs and Fremantle for the way they handled the players' departure.

Ward will fly back to Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon for some time with his family before returning to Sydney to find somewhere to live.

He concedes it was difficult telling his former Bulldogs teammates of his decision and now isn't sure where he sits with the club.

Ward revealed he would still like to attend the Bulldogs' best and fairest night on October 7 and even join his former club mates on their end-of-season trip to Bali two days later.

"It'll be interesting, I haven't really spoken to them about whether I should actually attend the best and fairest or not," he said.

"I’m under the impression I should. I spent four years there, I played every game for them this year, so I'd like to go.

"It'll be interesting to see how they take it."

The AFL will announce the compensation awarded to the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle after it receives the player contract from the Giants, which is yet to occur.