TOM SCULLY believes the controversy that surrounded his move to Greater Western Sydney is "old news" and he is driven to help the Giants start working their way up the AFL ladder.
The No.1 draft pick's shift from Melbourne to western Sydney back in 2011 was an enormous, ongoing story and one that followed him through the early stages of his GWS career.
But Scully put it behind him to become a club vice-captain last year and finish a well-deserved third in the best and fairest behind Jeremy Cameron and Callan Ward.
Scully's improved form, combined with the emergence of his teammates, means he feels that initial drama-filled period is well and truly in the past.
"I think so. I think it's old news now," Scully told AFL.com.au. "This is my third year at the Giants and time really does fly.
"We've certainly got a lot of really talented players here and players that have come onto the scene and started to create names for themselves.
"Obviously we want to keep building our club and having really good players and become known for being a really strong, competitive side.
"So if we can keep building great players here, it detracts attention away from certain individuals.
"We just want to be known as a really good team."
The 22-year-old recently received a ringing endorsement from his new coach Leon Cameron, who said in years to come Scully will be remembered for one thing only and that's being a very good footballer.
"I don't read too much into that, but obviously it's a great show of support," Scully said.
"At the end of the day if I'm true to myself and can look my teammates in the eye and say I played my role and worked hard, I'm happy with that."
One thing Scully does take seriously is his vice-captaincy.
The Giants picked up some big names in the off-season and Heath Shaw has joined Scully in the vice-captaincy, but the latter was still voted back into the position by his peers.
Renowned for his tireless approach to training, Scully does his best to lead from the front.
"It's something that I'm very honoured by and it was a great challenge for me last year," he said.
"It's been fantastic working under (co-captains) Phil (Davis) and Callan (Ward), who have led the way in a pretty young and inexperienced group.
"I take my hat off to them.
"But bringing in Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw, Josh Hunt, these type of guys, has just helped guys like myself and everyone else in the group in leadership capabilities."
While he has undoubtedly settled in well with his teammates, Scully tends to do things a little differently.
Many of his young teammates have started to gravitate from Breakfast Point towards the city and the beaches in the eastern suburbs, yet Scully decided to remain out west.
Whatever he is doing is working and the versatile midfielder, who has chalked up 71 games over his first four seasons in the AFL, is pleased with his career progression.
"I feel really comfortable in Sydney now, I've found my place where I want to be and I'm enjoying my life outside of footy," he said.
"I think if you can have a really good work-life balance, it makes work a hell of a lot easier.
"So I'm feeling really good at the moment and I've got a lot of passion and drive to keep getting better and see the team improve."
