During the Christmas/New Year break, AFL.com.au looks at each club and how they're tracking for the 2011 pre-season

Introduction
Following the completion of the inaugural NEAFL season, all of the Giants were able to go home for some time off. Some uncontracted players, including Tom Scully and Callan Ward, were then added to the list and the entire playing group assembled for two days of testing before training began on November 9. The overall focus has been on preparing for AFL level, learning how to work as a unit and build a team.

Medical room
A number of young Giants have had injury-interrupted starts to their senior careers. Kurt Aylett has probably been the worst affected, with a knee reconstruction expected to keep him out until the middle of 2012. Josh Growden (leg) and Dylan Shiel (ankle) are back running and Tommy Bugg will be back in full training after the Christmas break following bilateral hip surgery in August. Sam Schulz is due back in February from the same procedure, while Setanta O'hAilpin had an operation on a nerve in his knee in October and will be back to full training at the end of January.

Summer superstar
Israel Folau is the obvious Giant who has had to put in some enormous work to re-shape his body from rugby league international to AFL player. Young forward Jeremy Cameron has added bulk to his frame and Steve Clifton has impressed with his fitness and running ability. Tom Scully has been told to pull back on his training, such has been his intent, while Phil Davis has also been singled out as he shows great progress returning from shoulder surgery.

Draftee watch
With so many youngsters on the GWS list, they have had to be carefully managed. They take part in all drills, but usually don't do them for as long as the older players. All first-year players will do around 75-80 per cent of the sessions, plus regular education sessions. In terms of which Giants are AFL-ready, there's little doubt many are going to be thrown into the cauldron. Stephen Coniglio, Dom Tyson, Matthew Buntine, Dylan Shiel, Jeremy Cameron and Adam Treloar have all shown signs they are ready for football at AFL level.

Putting the feet up
December 21 was the players' last day at the club before they scattered around the country for the Christmas break. Giants officials are wary of homesickness and want players to have as much time at home as possible. The rookies then have an induction program in Melbourne on January 9 and 10. All players are then expected back in Sydney on January 11. Training will then be very intense upon their return in the lead-up to their AFL debut.

Membership
The Giants were pleased to have more than 12,000 people sign up as foundation members. Their full membership drive was then launched on November 27 and they were just under 2,500 a week before Christmas. Their slogan since the Giants' name and colours were launched is 'Think Big. Live Big. Play Big', which will remain in place in the lead-up to round one.

NAB Cup Schedule
Round one (Saturday, February 18): v Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, Blacktown International Sportspark
Round two (Saturday, March 3): v Hawthorn, Aurora Stadium
Round three (Saturday, March 10): v Gold Coast, Albury

What they say
"He's played about 80-90 games all up, no doubt we'll get him to 100 games and keep the Irish happy. And he's the biggest leprechaun I've ever seen." GWS coach Kevin Sheedy on recruit Setanta O'hAilpin.

"Sam Darley, you run so quietly I can't even hear you. You run like a ninja." GWS assistant coach Mark Williams.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs