It was never going to be an easy task when the GWS Giants were introduced into the AFL in 2012.
Despite all the difficulties in building an organisation from scratch - fielding players, recruiting staff and attempting to lure fans to the 'Orange team' - there was always one discernible task that seemed impossible.
Placed in Western Sydney, a state that is heavily dominated by NRL fans, the Giants were not only up against the long-standing Sydney Swans, who had previously been known as South Melbourne in the VFL, but also nine rugby clubs immersed in the fabric of the state.
Born in Pennant Hills, Giants ruckman Kieren Briggs wasn't necessarily offered AFL as a legitimate option, forcing him to try each and every sport.
But he recounts to Zero Hanger the eye-opening moment that led him to where he is today.
"I tried everything as a kid, mainly to get days off school," Briggs quipped to Zero Hanger.
"Played a few (sports) to see what I liked, but by chance stumbled across AFL with a friend's dad who was from Victoria originally.
"I played for Pennant Hills and got through the Giants Academy, which gave me a clear pathway."
Briggs, who is one of many GWS Academy graduates, is, however, part of a rare class.
GWS has nine academy graduates currently on their list, and nearly two dozen others on rival club lists, although the majority of its talent comes from its Canberra and Riverina recruitment zones.
The bullocking ruckman is one half of a Giants duo who hail from Western Sydney, with youngster Josaia Delana joining the club last year as a rookie selection.
"Joey actually went to the same school at Oak Hill, which is predominantly a rugby background school," Briggs said.
"It's good to see him come through the system and the Giants Academy, but definitely seeing a rise in interest and numbers in Western Sydney.
"We have the school visits, club visits, and the numbers are bigger ten-fold than what I used to go to in my first and second years and definitely more than what they were 10 years ago."
Briggs and Delana ran a clinic at North Rocks Public School, which is just one of many initiatives to continue driving the participation levels and interest in AFL football in the region.
"I think now that AusKick (and clinics) are so easily accessible and training sessions and fields are more prevalent," Briggs continued.
"Even getting to games, it's more of a fanfare, where everyone is very engaging and enjoy going to games.
"Our crowd attendance, although they may not be breaking world records, when we play in front of Giants fans, it's really exciting."
Since their inception, crowd numbers and memberships have been on a steady incline, which is assisted by the impressive on-field performance.
Last year, the Giants smashed through their previous membership record (33,036) with 36,629, topping the 30,000 mark for the sixth consecutive year.
Attendance at ENGIE Stadium and Manuka Oval is also witnessing more patrons entering the gates to see the 'Orange Tsunami' strive for that maiden flag.
And after a positive start to 2025, there's nothing to say, despite being against all odds, that they couldn't reach the pinnacles of AFL football come September.
