Greater Western Sydney entered foreign waters in 2022, slumping to 16th on the AFL ladder with a dismal 6 wins alongside their name, a position of uncharted territory in recent years.
With last season offering little to cheer about for the Orange army, attention swiftly turned to the draft in welcoming prized No.1 pick Aaron Cadman, along with a host of young top-end talent.
As Cadman, a GWV Rebels product, joined teammates at Olympic Park, a mass exodus of stars wound up Victorian bound, after the trade period was responsible for the departure of a core group.
The Giants, who finished 6-16 last year, continually place youth high on their agenda as they slowly work back into premiership contention, heading into their 12th season in the AFL.
Heading into what shapes as a long season for the Giants, we've asked the five burning questions surrounding the club ahead of their 2023 campaign.
3. How do they cope after a mass exodus in their engine room?
The midfield stocks of GWS fell victim to a trade period that saw the homesick Tanner Bruhn opt for a move back to Geelong, whilst sporadically used tagger Matt De Boer hung up the boots.
Midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper joined forces with Richmond to further deplete the Giants engine room, leaving a gaping hole in their depth department heading into 2023.
The weight of the centre bounces now fall on the shoulders of experienced campaigner Josh Kelly and proven professional Stephen Coniglio, aided by the emergence of youngster Tom Green.
With Coniglio resurfacing as an elite midfielder in 2022, after form struggles of late, the 27-year-old added another string to his bow in his ability to hit the scoreboard when transitioning forward.
Ruckman Brayden Preuss will be relied upon heavily to stand tall, after battling injury for the majority of 2022, coupled with time out with sanctions handed down by the match review officer.
