DESPITE losing No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd after just one season, Greater Western Sydney should be very confident of retaining the majority of its core group of young stars.
That's the opinion of AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, who was the key speaker at a western Sydney business lunch hosted by the Giants on Monday.
Following only one year as a Giant, Boyd requested a trade back to Melbourne, joining the Western Bulldogs in exchange for Ryan Griffen, pick No.6 in this year's draft and some financial consideration.
Yet McLachlan views that more as an exception rather than the rule.
Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar, Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Adam Tomlinson and Will Hoskin-Elliott are among those all coming off contract at GWS in 12 months' time.
The AFL boss is expecting the vast majority to stay in Sydney and buy in to what the club is trying to build.
"I'm very confident," he said. "The club has had a very clear list strategy from day one.
"They've been executing on that every year.
"They know they've got to sign those couple of key players.
"I've spoken to a number of people and I see the confidence in where they're going and the possible success that lies there.
"I'm confident they'll sign the players they want."
McLachlan was also asked whether it was a worrying sign that Boyd had departed after such a brief time in GWS orange and charcoal.
"No I don't think so," he said.
"I think they understand decisions have to be made. They've got such an extraordinary stockpile of talent and the balance is having the right blend of young talent and experienced players.
"To get an All Australian like Ryan Griffen and a two-time best and fairest-winning key defender (in Brisbane Lion Joel Patfull), I actually think they had a great trade period.
"I have great confidence in them going forward to manage their list and keep the players they want."
McLachlan did concede the Giants had an incredibly important year ahead of them, needing to show another jump in competitiveness in their fourth season in the League.
But he has no doubt that can be achieved, saying it's "probably what we're all expecting".
While the Giants have been gradually building, with some modest crowds attending their home games to date, A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers has emerged as a clear favourite in the region.
A-League runners-up last season, the Wanderers are currently contesting the final of the Asian Champions League.
Their chief executive John Tsatsimas attended Monday's lunch and McLachlan is adamant the Wanderers' success can only be good for the Giants and the AFL.
"I think it's great for us," he said.
"I think the success of the Wanderers is actually incredibly exciting for the Giants. (It's a) community binding behind one team.
"I think if we can collaborate and partner with the Wanderers ongoing, I think that'd be fantastic.
"This is a very big market.
"I think seeing teams being successful out here is great for us and what we think we can achieve with the Giants."
Twitter: @AFL_JD http://afl.to/jamesdampney
