AFL RECRUITERS are regular attendees at the Giants' NEAFL games in 2015 as they assess the talented bunch of players on the club's list that are not playing senior football.  

The Giants had 10 first-round draft picks who didn't play in the senior team last week through injury or selection. In comparison, Essendon has 13 first-round picks on its whole list and Richmond has 14, illustrating the depth of talent at GWS. 

With the 2015 NAB AFL draft pool considered relatively shallow the attraction of the Giants youngsters is obvious: the list of those playing good football in their seconds who would get a game at many other clubs is long 

Add in an injury list that includes key forward Jonathon Patton, Adam Tomlinson, Jacob Townsend, Rhys Palmer and Lachie Plowman and a senior team that is firing with six wins after eight games and you can see why many clubs are eyeing off their talent. 

Although the club will be keen to retain its talent, trading a player or two for picks would give it an extra capacity to recruit its two star academy prospects, who are shaping as top-10 picks. 

Josh Bruce a prime example of the talent on the Giants' list

AFL.com.au assessed the players on the Giants list who did not play in the senior side in round eight against Adelaide. 

Paul Ahern (selection No.7 in 2014 draft)
A neck injury in a pre-season trial game gave Ahern a fright and could have been more serious, but fortunately for the first-year midfielder he was fine. He has played a handful of NEAFL games and starred in a couple, including last weekend when he gathered 31 disposals and kicked two goals. He recently agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Giants.
Contract status: Signed to the end 2017 

Jake Barrett (priority academy selection No.97 in 2013 draft)
Barrett has developed well at NEAFL level in his first season-and-a-half with the Giants, but has not yet broken into the senior team for his AFL debut. A tough and hard midfielder, he gathered 28 disposals for the Giants' reserves side last week. The Western Bulldogs were keen on Barrett during his draft year before he was signed as a GWS academy player.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2016

Aidan Corr (selection No.14 in 2012 draft)
The athletic defender has been in and out of the first-choice Giants line-up in his three seasons with the club. Some injuries have also haltered the Victorian's momentum, and he was dropped back to the NEAFL side last week after six games so far this season at AFL level. Corr is a quick and hard tall defender drafted early in 2012.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2018 

Curtly Hampton (NT Zone selection)
Dropped after round one and despite starring at NEAFL level has found it impossible to force his way back into the team. The smooth mover battled injury last season but still performed well off half-back in his 11 games. He is now in his fourth year at the club, but has struggled to get a look in due to experienced defenders Heath Shaw and Joel Patfull and the performances of Nick Haynes. At just 22 and with 47 games experience, he can provide run off half-back but seems to have been a victim of the talented list now built. 
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2016

Curtley Hampton remains on the outer at the Giants. Picture: AFL Media

Jed Lamb (selection No.21 in the 2010 draft, No.1 in the 2014 pre-season draft)
Made the switch from the Sydney Swans because of that club's salary cap squeeze post-Franklin. Has struggled to win a regular senior game with the Giants but is too good to be playing NEAFL. He has starred at that level kicking 16.18 and also pushing up the ground at times. Has begun to come under notice of opposition clubs as they circle the out-of-favour Giants.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2016

Rory Lobb (selection No.29 in the 2013 draft)
Lobb is a developing ruckman who impressed on debut last season when he kicked a goal with his first kick. Played one more game before a knee problem saw him play just once in the final six weeks of 2014. The 22-year-old is 205cm and waiting in the wings in case Shane Mumford falls over and developing his ability up forward in the meantime. He kicked five goals in round four in the NEAFL and has been impressive. Eventually Lobb will battle Tom Downie as rucking understudy for Mumford. The latecomer to the game has both time and promise.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2017

Caleb Marchbank (selection No.6 in 2014 draft)
Marchbank's pre-season was severely interrupted as he recovered from a knee injury sustained pre-draft. It took some time for him to get back into running but he has played seven games at NEAFL level and some have been of very high quality as a defender. The Giants picked him knowing he would take some time to develop.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2016

Pat McKenna (selection No.23 in 2014 draft)
GWS picked the former elite junior cricketer early at last year's draft despite playing no TAC Cup football. The classy and clean half-forward has been building his NEAFL form, but still has a way to go to put on some weight. He is managing a hip injury at the moment, but had some interest last year before the draft from a handful of clubs, including Hawthorn, Collingwood and Melbourne.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2016

Rhys Palmer (selection No.7 in the 2007 draft, 2011 uncontracted player selection)
Palmer was in excellent form before a shoulder injury forced him out at round five. Playing as a small forward that put pressure on opposition defenders he had made the role his own, kicking goals and tackling well. Palmer has been a solid performer with the Giants but was progressing towards becoming a serious danger in his role as a small forward.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2015

Jonathon Patton (selection No.1 in the 2011 draft)
The key forward was in excellent form before a second knee reconstruction cruelly stopped his progress in round 19. Kicked 25.17, averaged 11 disposals a game and imposed himself on the opposition. Has made good progress in his rehabilitation and watching his return to a functioning forwardline will be fascinating.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2017

Jonathon Patton will be looking to return in the second half of the year. Picture AFL Media

Lachie Plowman (selection No.3 in the 2012 draft)
Made inroads in 2014 before an elbow injury suffered at training has forced him to miss the first half of the season. The brave young defender has developed slowly but surely and shown enough to be considered a quality player for the future. The young Victorian will have his chances later in the season and next year and will benefit from playing alongside Joel Patfull.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2016

Jarrod Pickett (selection No.4 in 2014 draft)
The club's first pick at last year's draft has been eased into his AFL career, steadily building his fitness and form at NEAFL level. Was a senior emergency for a couple of weeks and has shown flashes of brilliance at times. The West Australian agreed to a one-year contract extension before the season started, which puts him out of reach of rivals.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2017

Jack Steele (selection No.24 in 2014 draft)
Steele is blitzing the NEAFL but has been unable to break into the senior side so far for his AFL debut. A tall, strong midfielder who kicks goals, Steele played in the NAB Challenge and is probably the most advanced of the Giants' 2014 draft crop. Would be playing in most AFL teams by now and many clubs are ready to pounce if he continues to struggle for opportunities.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2016  

Liam Sumner (selection No.10 in 2011 draft)
Injuries have limited Sumner's output in his career at the Giants, including this year where the pacey midfielder has been unable to get out on the park. Sumner had a stress fracture in his navicular bone over summer and after recovering from that he broke his wrist in a training incident. St Kilda has shown some interest in the former Sandringham Dragon in recent years, and other clubs will also step up their inquiries if he can get fit.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2016 

Will a change of scenery help Liam Sumner earn more senior games? Picture: AFL Media

Adam Tomlinson (selection No.9 in the 2011 draft)
The 21-year-old has been forced out with a toe injury after playing the first two games of the season. He has been given plenty of opportunities without really establishing himself in one position. He has pace, strength and is versatile so only needs more time to be considered a bona-fide AFL player. Has played 47 games so barring injury will be ready to fire by the end of 2016.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2017 

Jacob Townsend (NSW-ACT zone selection in the 2011 draft)
A foot injury has kept Townsend out of action for all of this season so far, but he has been a semi-regular member of the Giants' first-choice side in its previous three seasons. Townsend is a tough and hard-working midfielder who has been used in a tagging role throughout his career. It's expected he will be ready to return from injury in the next fortnight.
Contract status: Signed to the end of 2015 

And that's not all…
The Giants will have priority access to Jacob Hopper and Matthew Kennedy, members of their academy set-up, at this year's draft. Both are viewed as top-10 talents, and the Giants will have first call on the pair under the new bidding system. Although it will cost the club more than it would have under the previous bidding system, the Giants will still be able to secure the midfielders, who have shown this year they are among the most impressive draft prospects of 2015.