A lot has been made about the draft allowances the Giants have been afforded in recent years, but just how well have they taken that opportunity?

In the club's short history, GWS have selected a whopping 29 players in the first round of the National Draft.

In 2011 they had 11 picks in the first round, and have had at least three selections in the opening round for every season since.

They've had three number one selections and 14 top five picks, and it seems to have worked for the Giants, as they enter their second straight preliminary final appearance.

So, we've decided to look back at every draft, year on year, to see just how impressive their selections have been.

2011 - 11 selections

Jonathon Patton (pick 1), Stephen Coniglio (2), Dom Tyson (3), Will Hoskin-Elliott (4), Matt Buntine (5), Nick Haynes (7), Adam Tomlinson (9), Liam Sumner (10), Toby Greene (11), Taylor Adams (13), Devon Smith (14)

It was GWS' first national draft, and having 11 of the first 14 selections was always going to work out for them.

Seven of the 11 drafted in the first round still remain at the Giants, although Devon Smith looks out the door at season's end.

Jonathon Patton, Stephen Coniglio, Nick Haynes, Adam Tomlinson and Toby Greene look like core players for the future, with Greene especially seen as one of GWS' best and most talented players.

It would have been hard for the Giants to have fluffed this draft pool, and the players they've selected will certainly have a say in their premiership push over the next few years.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Stephen Coniglio of the Giants lookls on during a Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL training session at Sydney Olympic Park on August 10, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

2012 - Five selections

Lachie Whitfield (pick 1), Jonathan O'Rourke (2), Lachie Plowman (3), Kristian Jaksch (12), Aidan Corr (14)

While only two of the five remain at the Gaints, they've kept the best two at the club without a doubt.

Lachie Whitfield slotted back into the Giants' side seamlessly after his part in avoiding a drug test from ASADA a couple of years ago, and hasn't missed a game since returning in round eight.

Aidan Corr missed the opening two matches of the season but hasn't missed a game since, and has become an integral part of their backline in 2017.

The other three players didn't come along like the Giants would have wanted, with Kristian Jaksch moving to Carlton at the end of the 2014 season, before being delisted earlier this month.

2013 - Three selections

Tom Boyd (pick 1), Josh Kelly (2), Cam McCarthy (14)

While both Tom Boyd and Cam McCarthy have left the Giants, this draft ultimately goes down as a positive one, given the selection of star midfielder Josh Kelly.

Kelly is one of the game's best young players, and at just 22 years of age, is a player for the Giants' future.

He recently signed a two-year deal to keep him in Sydney until at least the end of the 2019 season, and GWS will be hoping they show him enough in that time frame that he re-commits once again.

Boyd and McCarthy may still turn out to be key players of the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle respectively, but given their futures lie away from the Giants it's hard to give them a pass mark for those selections.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Josh Kelly of the Giants celebrates a goal during the round 17 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at Spotless Stadium on July 15, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

2014 - Three selections

Jarrod Pickett (pick 4), Caleb Marchbank (6), Paul Ahern (7)

Easily the Giants' poorest day at the draft table. All three players aren't at the club anymore, with Pickett and Marchbank moving to Carlton in the past off-season, and Ahern making the switch to North Melbourne.

Pickett and Ahern never pulled on a GWS guernsey, while Marchbank made just seven appearances for the club before leaving.

2015 - Three selections

Jacob Hopper (pick 7), Matthew Kennedy (13), Harrison Himmelberg (16)

While all three remain at the club, Matthew's Kennedy's future remains in doubt.

Jacob Hopper was in-demand before signing a new deal earlier this month, and Harrison Himmelberg also re-signed in August for a further two years.

The duo played in the Giants' semi-final win over West Coast last weekend, although Kennedy hasn't featured since round 21, and is struggling to break back into the side.

Even if Kennedy leaves, there's enough talent between Hopper and Himmelberg to label this draft as a pass.

2016 - Four selectionsย 

Tim Taranto (pick 2), Will Setterfield (5), Harry Perryman (14), Isaac Cumming (20)

While it's certainly way too early to grade this draft class, the Giants will be pleased three of their four first round selections made their debut this season.

Tim Taranto's year will have filled them with the most confidence, as the rookie played 13 of the first 14 games this season before being struck down with injury.

He returned against West Coast in the semi-final last weekend and looked right at home, and it seems as though GWS have found a player in the midfielder.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Tim Taranto of the Giants looks on during a GWS Giants AFL Training Session at Spotless Stadium on September 20, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

So, out of all 29 selections, 11 will line-up against Richmond on Saturday afternoon, while 12 moved on to other clubs.

From those 12 who moved on, only Taylor Adams would push for selection in this current side, meaning the Giants have largely made the right decisions with their draftees, and it's those decisions, that could lead them to their maiden premiership in 2017.