Draw assessment
The Giants are being eased into their debut season in the AFL, only facing one finalist from last year twice - the Sydney Swans. They will also have something of a nomadic existence, playing home matches at ANZ Stadium, Blacktown and Manuka Oval before the first taste of their new home at Skoda Stadium in round nine. They only have three night matches and just two trips to the MCG, to face Melbourne and Hawthorn.

Pivotal match
It would be fair to say the Giants' first ever match holds some importance as they throw down a challenge to cross-town rival the Swans. Outside of that, they would be looking forward to taking on fellow newcomers Gold Coast twice, including a round-seven showdown in Canberra.

Injury list
Tom Scully was showing some improved form late in the pre-season before a head clash with Israel Folau left him with a fractured cheekbone. GWS is hopeful he will only miss one week. The Giants are also struggling to get some of their veterans onto the field, with Luke Power, Dean Brogan and Setanta O'hAilpin all sidelined for round one.

Track specialist
Not surprisingly, a host of young Giants have put in enormous pre-seasons as they try to impress the coaching staff. Midfielder Steve Clifton, who has been given a chance at the age of 24, has demonstrated his fitness and running ability. Jeremy Cameron has added bulk to his frame while Israel Folau has shed the kilos as he transforms his body from rugby league international to an AFL player.

Dream Team special
There are any number of Giants who will start the year with modest price tags, but could prove valuable, as many will play a heap of games purely by necessity. Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Devon Smith and Dom Tyson fall into that category, while ruckman Jonathan Giles ($117,800) could well play every game.

Draftee watch
Steve Coniglio. The number two pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft has the necessary size and skill to overcome the attention he will receive this season. Time spent in the WAFL last season did nothing to knock his own confidence. Coniglio could emerge as the star in a young midfield draped in talent.

Needs a big year
O'hAilpin earned a huge cheer when his name was read out at pick 79 in the fifth round of the NAB AFL Draft. Given a second chance by GWS, the Irishman could carve out a solid career in western Sydney if he makes the most of his opportunity.

Best and fairest tip
The Giants' two best players in the pre-season have been defender Phil Davis and midfielder Callan Ward. The two 21-year-olds have been named co-captains in the club's first season, alongside Power, and would appear best placed to fight it out for its inaugural best and fairest award.

The Giants will have a good year if…
It's a fairly simple equation for the Giants, who need their veterans and their youngsters to be better than advertised in year one. There's no doubting the immense young talent the club has attained, but a bunch of them will need to be AFL-ready right now for GWS to have a solid debut. The club also turned heads by recruiting Chad Cornes, Brogan, Power and James McDonald and all will need to contribute substantially for the debutants to pick up a handful of wins.

The big issues
The first issue is just how many wins can this group of players secure in year one? Gold Coast picked up three victories last year and most feel the Giants would be happy to match that number.

Can Tom Scully justify his enormous contract? The former number one pick will be under intense scrutiny due to his hefty deal, but the fact is Scully has played just 31 AFL games and remains somewhat unproven.

Can Israel Folau succeed in the AFL? A move that was viewed as a publicity stunt has been discussed more seriously of late, with Folau showing some ability to take strong marks and use his natural leaping ability in the ruck.

Best 22
B: Sam Reid, Chad Cornes, Tim Mohr
HB: Tomas Bugg, Phil Davis, Will Hoskin-Elliott
C: Tom Scully, Steve Clifton, James McDonald
HF: Curtly Hampton, Jeremy Cameron, Rhys Palmer
F: Luke Power, Jonathon Patton, Devon Smith
FOLL: Jonathan Giles, Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward
I/C: Israel Folau, Setanta O'hAilpin, Dom Tyson
Sub: Nathan Wilson

AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 18th

PICK YOUR BEST 22 GIANTS

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL