Tom Green was understandably thrilled when All-Australian midfielder Clayton Oliver was traded to the Giants. But as it turns out, the pair formed an unlikely friendship years before the former Melbourne superstar arrived in Western Sydney.
Green revealed Oliver had quietly played an important role in his development early in his career when one of his old coaches "put me in contact with him".
The pair discussed body composition, which has held the Canberra product in good stead.
"He's actually helped me out in my career before he came here," Green said.
“It was mainly around body composition during the year. When you're a young player, you get really fit in the pre-season, but it can be easy to put on weight or not stay quite as running fit in season because you aren't doing as much training.
"One of our old coaches put me in contact with him, and he gave me a few tips on how you can stay fitter during the year so you can run out the season better.
"I think that's why the last three years, for the most part, I've been able to run out seasons really well. It was off the back of some advice he gave me a few years ago."
Now officially teammates after the Demons pushed their star midfielder out the door, Green says Oliver's influence has grown since he arrived at the club.
"He's been incredible so far… he's been fantastic to work with," he said.
"Our style mixed with Finn (Callaghan), I think it's going to gel really well. I'm really looking forward to developing that chemistry throughout the year."
With Oliver joining an already formidable Giants midfield alongside Green, Finn Callaghan and Josh Kelly, GWS has formed one of the competition's most dynamic midfield rotations.
The explosive Stephen Coniglio looms as another potential addition to that midfield mix, with the former captain desperate to put two injury-ravaged seasons behind him.
"He has been really explosive, he looks fit, strong and confident in his body," Green said.
After being selected with Pick 18 in the 2020 draft, left-footer Ryan Angwin has endured a horrid run with injury. But Green believes the half-back/wingman has finally put his injury woes behind him, tipping him to go to another level in 2026.
"He's had a pretty horror run with injury early in his career," Green said of Angwin.
"He's super reliable, he's tough, he's brave, we know exactly what we are going to get from him."
"He's come back, he's super fit again, and I'm really excited to see him take his game to another level."
The Giants begin their 2026 campaign in Opening Round against the Hawks on March 7.
