JONATHAN Giles' new start comes with equal measures of massive opportunity and pressure.

After playing only nine senior games this season, the 26-year-old ruckman was traded from Greater Western Sydney to Essendon.

Giles replaces Essendon ruck-forward Paddy Ryder, who defected to Port Adelaide after a strong season where he was unlucky not to make the All Australian squad.

Ryder's departure meant the stars aligned for Giles, who has played 51 games for the Giants.

But it also means Giles has big shoes to fill and Essendon fans will measure his form against Ryder.

"Paddy is a fantastic player in his own right," Giles told AAP.

"I'm looking forward to working with big Tommy Bellchambers in the ruck and up forward.

"We have to step up for this club to get to where it wants - everyone has to improve."

Giles is well aware that he walked into Essendon primarily because Ryder walked out.

"If he'd stayed, who knows what would have happened," he said.

"It's very much sliding doors in footy."

Giles was squeezed out of GWS after Shane Mumford joined from Sydney.

A post-season meeting with coach Leon Cameron confirmed it was time to go.

But Giles had trained with Essendon in 2011 and Essendon kept a watch on him in his time at the Giants.

It turned out the interest was mutual.

"I always had a close eye on the Bombers," he said.

"When you get to know a couple of the guys, you take a bit more notice of them."

Giles is from the Barossa Valley and also spent four years on Port Adelaide's list without playing a senior game.

He also spoke to Adelaide, but a chat with Bombers coach James Hird convinced him where his next AFL home should be.

"Hirdy played a massive part ... I had a chat with him before the trade stuff happened and he was pretty much the reason I came here," he said.

"The way he sold the club and said where he wants to take the club and where he thinks this club can go - I definitely wanted to be a part of that."

Giles said it was crucial that he became more effective when he goes into attack.

"If we play two ruckman, you need to be effective up forward," he said.

"For me to take my game to the next level, it's about keep improving my ruckwork, but (also) that forward line work - that pressure."