THERE'S a new land of the ex-Giants.
For many years, Carlton has been rightly viewed as a second-home to Greater Western Sydney players.
The targeting of stars and fringe players at the Giants was part of the Blues' list management strategy, particularly given the club's links to the newest AFL franchise – ex-list manager Stephen Silvagni and current recruiting manager Paul Brodie were both formerly at the Giants.
The success rate was questionable, but Carlton managed to land deals without giving much away as the squeeze for spots at GWS became an issue.
But another club has usurped the Blues as having the most former Giants on its list.
Essendon now tops the competition after its pre-season signing of former Giant-turned-premiership Tiger Jacob Townsend. It lifted the number of ex-Giants at the Bombers to five, following their off-season signing of Andrew Phillips from Carlton (Phillips started his career at GWS).
The pair went the long way from GWS to Essendon, unlike the other three former Giants at Tullamarine – Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith and James Stewart – who arrived via direct trades.
Carlton still remains second on the list with four players (Matt Kennedy, Lachie Plowman, Caleb Marchbank and Will Setterfield), while Collingwood, Fremantle, Hawthorn and North Melbourne all have three apiece.
The Magpies boast the most star factor in their trio, with Adam Treloar one of the leading midfielders in the competition, Taylor Adams a key member of their leadership group and goalkicker Will Hoskin-Elliott an important part of their forward set up.
Across the competition there are 26 players at different clubs after beginning their respective careers at the Giants (see below for a mock best 22 line-up).
Clearly the large majority has seen players from Victoria head back to Melbourne-based clubs, however the Dockers have also picked off some key West Australian talents in Rory Lobb, Nathan Wilson and Cam McCarthy.
The numbers do not count players who were pre-listed by the Giants through draft concessions but then traded to rival clubs, such as Luke Brown (Adelaide) and Jed Anderson (North Melbourne).
WHERE ARE THE GIANTS NOW?
Nil
Nil
Matt Kennedy
Lachie Plowman
Caleb Marchbank
Will Setterfield
Adam Treloar
Taylor Adams
Will Hoskin-Elliott
Jacob Townsend
Dylan Shiel
James Stewart
Andrew Phillips
Devon Smith
Nathan Wilson
Cam McCarthy
Rory Lobb
Nil
Anthony Miles
Jack Hombsch
Sam Frost
Tom Scully
Jonathon Patton
Adam Tomlinson
Paul Ahern
Aiden Bonar
Dom Tyson
Nil
Nil
Jack Steele
Nil
Nil
Josh Bruce
HOW THE EX-GIANTS BEST 22 COULD LOOK…
B: Lachie Plowman, Jack Hombsch, Caleb Marchbank
HB: Nathan Wilson, Sam Frost, Adam Tomlinson
C: Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Tom Scully
HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Rory Lobb, Devon Smith
F: Jonathon Patton, Josh Bruce, Jacob Townsend
R: Andrew Phillips, Taylor Adams, Jack Steele
I/C: Paul Ahern, Dom Tyson, Will Setterfield, Cam McCarthy
Emerg: James Stewart, Matt Kennedy, Aiden Bonar, Anthony Miles
