THE AFL is yet to decide on a specific venue for this year's NAB AFL Draft in Sydney in November, with chief executive Andrew Demetriou hopeful a suitable site can be found in the city's west.
Greater Western Sydney will dominate the draft, boasting nine of the first 15 picks as the Giants build their team ahead of their AFL debut in 2012.
Last year's draft was held on the Gold Coast and helped provide a promotional boost prior to the Suns' AFL entry this season and Demetriou is hopeful of an even bigger impact in western Sydney.
The Sydney Showgrounds, where the Giants were launched and where they will have their home ground next season, could be an option, while there are a number of suitable venues closer to the city.
"We're looking at two or three options. Our view is that it will probably be in greater western Sydney," Demetriou said today.
"That's where we'd like to have it and we'll be able to give you a definitive answer on the venue shortly.
"But I can tell you it will be on Thursday night on November 24, will be covered on Foxtel and will be a pretty big event.
"I think it's highly likely that it will [be in western Sydney], I just haven't got a venue for you to announce today."
Having the draft in Sydney will benefit the Giants from a promotional viewpoint, but it will also be a crucial platform for the club's hopes of quickly putting together a competitive team.
"They will have a pick of the best talent and by the end of the draft we will know the basis of the team and the names of the youngsters who will take this club into the future," Demetriou said.
"We're absolutely thrilled we can do that here in Sydney.
"Last year we were able to do that on the Gold Coast, one of the few occasions ever outside of Melbourne, and it provided significant exposure on a national basis.
"The draft's going to be a great story for GWS because it appears from early reports that I've got that the youngsters coming through this year are probably better than the crop that went to the Gold Coast.
"There's some wonderful talent out there so stay tuned.
"It's a long haul and we're not delusional that it's not going to be a long haul, but we're prepared for the long haul."
NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley, who was alongside Demetriou for today's announcement in Sydney, has been impressed by the progress the AFL and GWS have made.
"I was privileged to be invited to do the coin toss at a recent Giants trial game and was impressed with both the structure and plans that AFL has for Western Sydney and the game," he said.
"The AFL have made a substantial investment in Western Sydney and the arrival of the Greater Western Sydney Giants will see increased participation and competition between all sporting codes and deliver greater opportunities and entertainment for fans."
