GWS has requested the AFL reconsider its limitations on the club signing prospects from the western Sydney region, allowing direct access to players without having to bid on them in the draft.

The league welcomed the new head of AFL in NSW and ACT Andrew Varasdi last October to assist with "stimulating the market" that is largely NRL-biased, whilst Soccer and Basketball also have strong pathways from the region.

The area - which is deemed to contain the largest Indigenous population - houses Rugby powerhouses Penrith Panthers, Paramatta Eels and Canterbury Bulldogs.

The AFL has been on the front foot in attempting to reverse the plunging numbers of Indigenous players on lists (63 - a 19-year low), while the Giants have only recruited three players (Kieren Briggs, James Peatling and Josaia Delana) in 11 years from the sector.

The western Sydney region is included as part of the New South Wales club's academy zone, but the Giants are asking the AFL to eliminate the use of draft picks needed to welcome players, for the time being.

"We've got two (currently on our list)," GWS GM of Football Jason McCartney said on RSN.

"There's massive opportunity with population, and the AFL to their credit, has a strong focus (on the area).

"It was bubbling along pre-COVID but the foundations weren't strong enough with participation to withstand two years of no football."

The Giants have welcomed many players from the nation's capital and the Riverina regions but McCartney believes the removal of the use of draft picks will facilitate more growth in the area.

The Giants have announced a change of leadership at the top
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 16: Jason McCartney, List Manager of the Giants speaks to the media during the Telstra AFL Trade Period at Marvel Stadium on October 16, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

And with Tasmania entering the league soon, it's a win-win.

"(Western Sydney is a) really heavily densely populated sporting landscape, and those (NRL) clubs, have no draft and direct access.

"So if we do identify some players, we've got the academy - which does a fantastic job - but also a bidding system, where these (NRL) clubs can identify and put them in their program and virtually, if they progress well, guaranteed to be there.

"It wouldn't be forever but we just need to stimulate the marketplace."