Adam Read and Ryan Burton join GWS's coaching group, with a couple of line coaches changing. Adam Kingsley wants "a game style that gives us an opportunity to compete in finals." On the new first-round picks: "we want to get into this draft. It's a strong draft."
Who replaces Lachie Whitfield in GWS's defence is open. Adam Kingsley named James Leake, Harry Oliver and particularly Oskar Taylor: "one of those boys particularly will stand up, and I'm not sure who it'll be yet." Players return for pre-season in early November.
Small forwards are in line for the spots opening in GWS's front half. Adam Kingsley named Cody Angove, Phoenix Gothard, Oliver Hannaford, Riley Hamilton and Joey Delana: Hamilton "had a significant impact" and Delana was "really strong in the last month of the season."
GWS let experienced players go to open gaps for younger players, Adam Kingsley says, and he wants more than half a season each from Brent Daniels, Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley. Getting Tom Green and Darcy Jones back after missing all year is "really important".
Asked if Josh Kelly will be ready for the start of the season, GWS's Jason McCartney wouldn't commit: "the timelines are a bit indefinite at the moment." Kelly is running but progressing slowly, just over 12 months after major surgery, with checks before and after Christmas.
Stephen Coniglio gets another year at GWS, even as four of the experienced players who left will be 32 or older next year. Jason McCartney on why Coniglio stayed: "he was clear he was keen to play on. And also, his back end of the season form was really pleasing."
GWS's interest in Tim English "was shut down inside a week," Jason McCartney said of the Western Bulldogs: "There's no way the Dogs are going to entertain it." The Giants will still stay open to asking English's management questions again, he said.
Phoenix Gothard, injured two-thirds into last season, returns for GWS with Tom Green and Darcy Jones. Jason McCartney wants youngsters in the departed players' roles: "we need to provide those opportunities." He named Cody Angove and halfbacks Harry Oliver and Oskar Taylor.
Toby Greene took up free agency and Lachie Whitfield went to Carlton for no first-rounder, which GWS's Jason McCartney called "the best deal that's been done with a 32-year-old or plus player." Giants hold picks 9, 20, 26 and 59: "we needed more assets in this year's draft."
Tasmania's entry compromises next year's draft, so GWS let some players go to open spots for the current group and bank on this year's, Jason McCartney said. Next: Tom Green and Lachlan Ash. He wants "at least one" re-signed before Christmas, both by early next season.
Pick 9 could still move: asked about Port Adelaide's pick 7, GWS's Jason McCartney said their hand gives "a bit of flexibility" up to draft night. A North Melbourne swap tied to Nick Murray is all but dead; it needed to be compelling as "we're not there to help other clubs."
Asked whether North Melbourne have the draft picks to cover Aidan, the answer from GWS Giants' media availability was a hedge: "I think they're all covered. I think he's part of the plans. I don't know for sure."