LEON Cameron is "really, really confident" Greater Western Sydney's line-up will feature the tall trio of Jon Patton, Jeremy Cameron and Tom Boyd for the next decade.
The three talls were in strong form against Geelong two weeks ago, and the Giants' coach expects rival clubs to make strong offers for the talented goal-kickers in the coming years.
Cameron is contracted at Greater Western Sydney until the end of the 2015 season, but a News Ltd report in May indicated Cameron and his management had put contract negotiations on hold while rejecting offers of a long-term deal.
Cameron later stated he had no intention of leaving the club, and the Giants' coach expects all three forwards to remain Giants for a large part of their careers.
"We're really confident they can play for the next 10 to 12 years for this footy club," Cameron said on Wednesday.
"Everyone's going to speculate. We've got a bunch of young kids that are terrific young kids at our footy club, and there's no doubt the other 16 or 17 clubs are going to be looking at our kids week in, week out.
"That what happens when you've got that exciting talent on your list.
"One thing's for sure, the culture that we're building here and the environment that we've created is one these players want to stay at."
Patton won the round 18 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for his two-goal, 15-disposal game against the Cats while Boyd also kicked two goals and Cameron took 10 marks.
Cameron said he was "really, really confident" the three would remain a formidable trio.
"In terms of the three of them playing in the forward line, we saw last week against Geelong, Cameron who has struggled with injuries all year and finally his ankle has given away, probably played one of his best games," he said.
"Boyd probably played one of his best games in his short career, he's only played four or five, and Jon Patton was the Rising Star.
"We can clearly see the three of them can fit into the forward line, as well as Adam Tomlinson.
"It was fantastic Jon got the Rising Star [nomination]. We're really rapt with that acknowledgment for Jon and we feel as though he's been progressing week in, week out this year, playing some really good footy."
The Giants will meet Richmond on Saturday at the MCG, which will be the second time this season they've faced the Tigers the week after a bye.
In round 10, they returned from a week off and were thrashed by 113 points.
Cameron said they were conscious of what happened last time and felt they were in a better position this week.
"Last time we came off the bye we played Richmond and were really disappointing," he said.
"We know it's a huge challenge to get on the MCG on Saturday against a side that's in form so we look forward to it.
"We've trained really well, so all the indicators are saying we're ready to play."
Defender Heath Shaw is set to return after missing three games following the minor brain bleed he sustained in a sickening collision with Sydney Swan Kurt Tippett in round 15.
Shaw said while it had been frustrating to miss so much football, he felt better returning to the field having had an extended break.
"It was a weird one," Shaw said.
"I thought I was OK a couple of days later, but the seriousness of what actually happened was pretty full-on and it sends a bit of a fright.
"But waiting that four or five weeks and doing everything right and fully training today has given me the confidence to go into it."
Cameron said Curtly Hampton would play next week after recovering from the shoulder injury he sustained in round 12.
