Giant opportunity for youngsters as GWS takes full-strength squad into NAB Cup opener

THE GWS Giants will field a full-strength team in their NAB Cup opening games against the Sydney Swans and Carlton to send a message to potential fans and members.

Jonathon Patton

THE GWS Giants will field a full-strength team in their NAB Cup opening games against the Sydney Swans and Carlton to send a message to potential fans and members.

"It's extremely important for our club," coach Kevin Sheedy said.

"We'll line up with Jonathon Patton and Jeremy Cameron. It's a very talented forward line."

Former Blues player Setanta O'hAilpin will also play after impressing in Saturday's intra club practice match following a knee reconstruction.

"He kicked three goals and gave another two away," Sheedy said.

"He has been itching to get back."

The need to perform is important because the Giants are playing their first three rounds of the NAB Cup in their recruiting zones.

First-round matches at Blacktown on Sunday are followed by a game against Brisbane in Wagga Wagga on March 2 and one against Essendon under lights at Manuka Oval on March 8.

The Giants have now signed up 9752 members, compared to 4475 at the same time last year.

"Zero to 10,000 in 22 games," Sheedy said. "That's 44 hours of football. It's not bad."

The goal is to sign 12,000 members by the end of the season, which would compare favourably to the Gold Coast Suns' 11,204 members in their second season last year.

The Suns experienced a 20 per cent drop-off from their first season in the competition after failing to improve on the three wins they achieved in 2011.

The Giants are looking for a 20 per cent increase on their membership and have already spoken of an ambition to at least double the two wins they claimed in their first season.

A good performance in the NAB Cup is vital to get the ball rolling.

"I've always taken the NAB Cup seriously," Sheedy said.

"My pre-season competition thinking is you're in it to have a crack.

"At Essendon we got to eight pre-season grand finals and won six."

Injured pair Chad Cornes and Dom Tyson are the only Giants regulars who won't play this weekend.