IF ONE thing stood out at Blacktown International Sportspark on Friday morning as Greater Western Sydney unveiled its first 11 additions from the 2011 NAB AFL Draft, it wasn't the players themselves.
It wasn't their charismatic Giants coach Kevin Sheedy. It wasn't the pack of media cameras, photographers and reporters. And it certainly wasn't the state level cricket game about to play out on the oval.
Friday was all about growing the Giants family, something the players' families had clearly already embraced.
The club was making them feel welcome, and welcome they felt.
"It's incredible, and it's made it easier for us as parents because we've known each other for such a long time, some even from primary school days," said Kaye Tomlinson, mother of Adam Tomlinson, who the Giants chose with pick nine.
As the group of players and Sheedy walked the boundary posing for photos and vision for Friday's news, in the stands sat mums and dads and brothers and sisters. At one point the excitement got the better of Hugh Greene, who yelled out to his older brother, Toby - selected with pick 11 on Thursday night - as they wandered past.
"He was being an idiot," joked Toby, who was joined in Sydney with by Hugh, other brother Eddie, and mother Kate.
Of his siblings, Greene said they had already eyed off some of the orange and charcoal merchandise. "They're pretty excited, but they just want the gear now."
The bonding process between the players at the Giants is the next step in the club's formation. And, judging by the nature of Friday's promotional appearance in Rooty Hill, it won't take long.
Greene's brothers were sitting and mucking around with Hugh and Sam Tyson, brothers of Dom Tyson, chosen by the Giants with pick three. Already, it appeared, the culture had been adopted.
Tyson said it felt like the club was making an effort to help players and their families acclimatise with the change that the next days, weeks and months will inevitably bring.
"It's sort of a family occasion and GWS are really keen on involving your family," Tyson said.
"It's really good to share a moment like this with mum and dad and my brothers and it's something we'll look back on in a few years time and remember really fondly. It's nice to have them up here."
However, this afterglow of the NAB AFL Draft can only last so long, and the players know it.
The draftees will leave Sydney on Friday and return home, quickly get everything sorted and fly back on Sunday for their first official day at the club. And what's on the agenda? The club's family day.
Follow Callum Twomey on Twitter at @Cal_Twomey
