GREATER Western Sydney officials travelled to Melbourne on Monday to meet with the AFL in a bid to retain access to academy prospect Todd Marshall.
The impressive key forward has become a central figure in rival clubs' anger over the Giants' wide Riverina zone, with some recruiters viewing him as among the best handful of talls in this year's NAB AFL Draft.
The AFL last month wrote to all clubs saying it would be closely reviewing the eligibility of every northern academy prospect for all four clubs.
Marshall's qualification with the Giants has come under scrutiny by the League after the 17-year-old only recently became part of its academy, having been identified by the Murray Bushrangers last year.
The 198cm forward, who kicked four goals in New South Wales-ACT's win over Queensland in the opening round of the under-18 championships, has a cricket background, having played in England in recent years.
But because he hails from Deniliquin, Marshall falls into GWS' grasp as an academy prospect, which has riled other clubs.
He is an athletic and strong-marking option who has caught the eye of recruiters with his attack on the contest.
The Giants' new football boss Wayne Campbell and academy manager Jason Saddington met with the AFL this week to put forward their case to hold on to access to Marshall.
It is understood the club wanted to put its side of the story across to the League before the AFL made a final call on Marshall's eligibility, which is due to be delivered in coming days.
Marshall is one of a number of impressive academy prospects the Giants have access to this year, alongside possible top-10 picks Will Setterfield and Harrison Macreadie.
In-form midfielders Kobe Mutch and Harry Perryman, versatile tall Zach Sproule and emerging ruckman Max Lynch are also in the GWS academy.