GWS captain Toby Greene isn't lying awake at night wondering if he'll ever win an AFL premiership.
That's because he's confident the Giants can finally claim an elusive first flag.
GWS have ended their previous seasons of promise in despair, including last year when their hopes were vanquished in a crushing 107-88 home defeat to Hawthorn in the qualifying final.
In 2024 they went out of the playoffs in straight sets, after losing a preliminary final to Collingwood the season before.
But although the club has struggled to make it work at the business end of a season, Greene is not concerned.
"I'm confident we can compete this year so I don't sit there worrying too much about if we do or don't," Greene said as the Giants returned to pre-season training on Monday.
"You want to be playing deep into finals and trying to win a premiership. That's what I want to do."
This pre-season hasn't started the way the Giants would have hoped, though, with stars Jesse Hogan (foot), Josh Kelly (hip), Darcy Jones (ACL), and Brent Daniels (abdominal) injured.
Kelly is expected to miss at least the first half of the 2026 season, while 2024 Coleman Medallist Hogan and small forward Daniels are planning returns after Christmas.
Fellow small forward Darcy Jones is also on the mend after a knee reconstruction, having ruptured his ACL in the 2025 qualifying final.
Club great Callan Ward also retired, moving into a new role with GWS.
Despite injuries and retirements, Greene remains confident the Giants can hit their straps by the time they play the Hawks in opening round on March 6.
"We've got a lot of work to do," the captain said. "I want to make sure I nail pre-season and get my body feeling ready and primed for a big season.
"Some guys may change or learn new positions.
"There's not much in terms of game plan that's changed, but we'll certainly make little tweaks, and everyone's trying to get better."
GWS have also welcomed their 2021 premiership-winning recruit Clayton Oliver to camp, after the midfielder was traded from the Demons for a future third-round draft pick.
The 28-year-old has been below his best for the past two seasons as he managed off-field challenges.
But despite this, Greene is already impressed.
"He's (Oliver) turned up in unbelievable nick," he said.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can bring to our team and midfield.
"The guy has been there, done that, and been one of the better players in the competition."
