FOLLOWING the selection of young defender Sam Frost with the first pick in the rookie draft, Greater Western Sydney has now completed its list ahead of its AFL debut in 2012.
The Giants had a total of 11 picks in the pre-season and rookie drafts on Tuesday, but decided to use just one of them, taking tall Sandringham Dragons utility Frost.
GWS had the first six selections in the pre-season draft, but passed on all of them, and also decided against using four of its five rookie picks.
List manager Steve Silvagni told AFL.com.au the decision to use only one pick was to limit the Giants' list and give their host of youngsters the best chance of senior football next year.
"We've got 44 on our list and we've also got Israel Folau on the alternative talent and we've got four rookies," Silvagni said.
"We felt as though it was really important that we give our young kids some game time.
"If we went up to around 50, some of those kids would probably be overlooked.
"Also we're obviously in the draft again next year, which is a very strong draft, we've got uncontracted players we can try to get again next year and we've got a number of very good zone boys coming through.
"There will be up to eight-to-10 selections next year, which would mean that we really have to cut the list back significantly.
"It's a bit of a list management issue."
At 194cm and 84kg, Frost has good size and will join the large stable of key position prospects at the Giants.
Silvagni said his club had contemplated picking Frost in last month's NAB AFL National Draft and were pleased the 18-year-old would now become a Giant.
"We always knew we were going to take the one rookie and we're really happy to get Sam Frost through the door," he said.
"He's a player that we rated very highly at the start of the year. He then started to taper off a little bit and started to get a bit tired.
"He was doing his school work and playing a lot of school sport as well.
"It could've been a growing thing or an age thing. He had a big workload over the national championships as well when he played all five games.
"But he's a key position player that can play both forward and back."
Silvagni said GWS had never considered picking up former Bomber Andrew Lovett, despite his links with Giants coach Kevin Sheedy.
Having already signed veterans Chad Cornes, Luke Power, Dean Brogan and James McDonald, the Giants were also never in the market for the likes of Brendan Fevola or Leon Davis, who were overlooked entirely by all clubs.
Asked for his thoughts on senior players being given another chance, Silvagni said: "It really depends on a needs basis and where you think your club is at.
"We saw Andrew McQualter picked up by the Gold Coast as a rookie and in the pre-season draft there were a couple of older guys selected there.
"It really depends on your clubs needs."
Considering the Giants' hectic period establishing their initial list, Silvagni admitted he was happy to have it all completed.
"No doubt," he said. "We obviously knew the bulk of our list was already decided, but it's really nice to give another boy an opportunity in Sam to get on a rookie list.
"He's got every chance, knowing we've also got room on our primary list to be elevated during the year."