GREATER Western Sydney will no longer gift players games during the NAB Challenge, with the Giants shifting their focus towards creating a winning culture.
Competition for spots has heated up leading into the clubs' fourth AFL season, especially since the off-season arrivals of big-name recruits Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull.
Speaking to AFL.com.au, senior assistant coach Alan McConnell said the Giants are determined to perform well and zero-in on their best side in pre-season matches against Gold Coast, Essendon and cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans.
"We'll genuinely be looking to put up a pretty good performance with strong teams," McConnell said.
"That said we're still sorting out who are best 22 are. We need to have a look at a reasonable cross-section of the group, but it's not going to be like it has been in the past for us where every player wins a prize."
GWS has only won three of 13 pre-season matches in its history, but the maturing squad took a step forward under first-year coach Leon Cameron during their 2014 premiership campaign.
The Giants avoided the wooden spoon for the first time and ended up 16th with six wins – including two in the final three games.
Now the ambitious club is targeting a maiden finals berth by no later than 2016 and McConnell said it's crucial GWS started to form winning habits.
"It is important to us. We look towards building a culture around winning," he said.
"You would imagine we would sing the song with a fair bit of enthusiasm regardless of what time of the year it is if we get one on the board."
With the renewed pre-season emphasis, McConnell said only "one or two" draftees might see action during the NAB Challenge.
But former Western Bulldogs captain Griffen and ex-Brisbane Lions defender Patfull are expected to feature prominently.
"I would imagine they would be playing significant game time," McConnell said.
"We know they can play, so it's around making sure loads are managed but they've also had the opportunity to work with new teammates."
The Giants have a relatively healthy list ahead of their first pre-season clash against the Suns at Blacktown on March 7.
Only key forward Jonathon Patton (ACL) is facing an extended spell on the sidelines, with the 21-year-old not expected back before mid-season.
Tall defender Tim Mohr has almost returned to full training and is targeting a round one return from his knee reconstruction.
Meanwhile, McConnell said Lachie Plowman (dislocated elbow) and Liam Sumner (navicular) are "some chance" to be back by the start of the premiership season, albeit with limited game time under their belts.
