The GWS Giants have upheld a high level of consistency in the past few years, making the finals in five of the past six seasons which included a grand final appearance and two preliminary final showings.
The Giants boast talent all over the ground, with many star and key position players such as Sam Taylor, Tim Taranto and Harry Himmelberg heading into the right age bracket to help contend for a premiership.
A semi-final appearance in 2021 was a solid result for Leon Cameron's men after starting the season on the back foot, losing their first three games of the season.
They'll be without their star player in Toby Greene for the first five games of the season after copping a six-match suspension for making contact with an umpire in their elimination final win over Sydney.
The Giants enjoyed a nice draft night, picking up talented midfielder Finn Callaghan as well as athletic defender Leek Aleer, which will add great depth in their respective positions.
Cult figure Shane Mumford has retired, meaning recruit Braydon Preuss will stake his claim to be the number one ruckman at the Giants, with Matt Flynn to also compete strongly for the top position.
Besides Greene's absence in the early part of the season, the Giants have a healthy and strong list with lots of depth that should see them set for another impressive season, so let's dive into their best 22 for the upcoming season.
The Giants have a talented backline, highlighted by young tall defender Sam Taylor and All-Australians in Nick Haynes and Lachie Whitfield.
Taylor has shown his ability to lock down some of the best key forwards in the game, including Tom Hawkins and Charlie Dixon, whilst Haynes and Whitfield are known for their slick play off half-back. Whitfield's dashing pace and sublime ball use, combined with Haynes' intercept marking ability adds plenty of versatility to Leon Cameron's rearguard.
Veteran defender Phil Davis keeps his spot in the back six, adding leadership and experience. The 31-year-old still has a lot to offer the side in their bid to land their first premiership.
Rounding out the back six are slick defenders in Isaac Cumming and Lachie Ash.
Cumming averaged a career-high 21.8 disposals and 5.5 marks per game in 2021. The 23-year old has cemented his spot in the Giants' best lineup and will only improve with more games under his belt.
Ash, at just 20 years of age, has become an integral parts of the Giants' system. Taken at pick four in the 2019 draft, Ash's skill-set varies from defender who can move into the midfield and lock down the opposition's best ball-winner.
GWS hold one of the most talented midfields in the competition, with their engine room filled with talent and depth.
The wings are occupied by elite ball-users in Josh Kelly and Harry Perryman.
Kelly is coming off a best and fairest season, whilst Perryman continues to develop into a nice part of the midfield unit, averaging a career-high 22.2 disposals per game last year.
The Giants' centre consists of Tim Taranto, Callan Ward and Jacob Hopper, an all-star trio that can also move further up the ground.
All three are supremely talented midfielders, with their hard-nosed and contested ball-winning abilities combining with good ball-use, meaning the Giants continue to flourish in the middle of the ground as they head into the 2022 season.
Look for top three draft pick Finn Callaghan to stake a claim for a midfield spot early on in the season, as he looks to be an exciting prospect for Leon Cameron and his team.
The ruck position will likely to taken by the former Demon in Preuss after the retirement of Mumford.
The 206cm big man hasn't played a game for the Giants since requesting a trade from Melbourne at the end of the 2020 season due to injury, but a strong pre-season will put him in top position to land the ruck duties come Round 1.
GWS contain a dangerous forward line who can punish the defence in an array of different ways, from high-flying tall targets to crumbing small forwards.
Headlined by arguably the most damaging forward in the game, Toby Greene, who at only 182cm plays well above his height, the Giants' forward third is as potent as any.
Greene booted a career-high 45 goals in 2021 and will be eyeing a tale of redemption when he returns to the Giants' side for their Round 6 clash against St Kilda.
Harry Himmelberg and Jesse Hogan highlight the key forward positions, with the pair both looking to continue strong form and stay healthy during the 2022 season.
Stephen Coniglio has been pushed out to the half-forward flank from the midfield following a frustrating 2021 campaign that was plagued by injury and inconsistency. The skipper's previous form in past seasons is exceptional and a strong pre-season will allow him to get back to his best in 2022.
Brent Daniels and Bobby Hill round out the forward six in the pocket roles. with both small forwards providing exciting highlights with their speed and crumbing abilities in front of goal. Look out for them having another impressive season in front of goal.
FB: Isaac Cumming, Sam Taylor, Phil Davis
HB: Lachie Whitfield, Nick Haynes, Lachie Ash
C: Josh Kelly, Callan Ward, Harry Perryman
HF: Toby Greene, Harry Himmelberg, Stephen Coniglio
FF: Brent Daniels, Jesse Hogan, Bobby Hill
FO: Braydon Preuss, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper
I/C: Tanner Bruhn, Matt Flynn, Tom Green, Connor Idun
Emerg: Zach Sproule, Daniel Lloyd, Jake Riccardi, Finn Callaghan