GWS football boss Jason McCartney has further stressed being a non-Victorian club has its difficulties in retaining key players who hail from other states.

Since the Giants first came into the competition in 2012, the club has seen a number of inaugural players and top draft selections depart.

These players include Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams, Devon Smith, Jeremy Cameron, Adam Tomlinson, Jonathon Patton, Tom Boyd, Nathan Wilson, Anthony Miles, Jacob Townsend, and Josh Bruce.

More recently, the departures of former No.2 pick Tim Taranto and No.7 pick Jacob Hopper in this year's trade period to Richmond, Tanner Bruhn heading back home to Geelong, and pressure small forward Bobby Hill to Collingwood have only added to the list.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio as to why this is the case, McCartney said the number of Victorians in the draft pool is far greater than the rest.

"When you're an interstate club, the draft board is predominantly at the top end, littered with Victorian talent, you've got some risk there," he said.

"You might think that's fine that you just pick this player and get them into your environment and your system and it's all fine, but if there's an apprehension about a player right from the word go about making the move interstate and they may go home, you just can't take the risk unfortunately.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Lachie Whitfield, Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto of the Giants look dejected after losing the round 9 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium on May 15, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

"The draft board for us and maybe some interstate clubs, it's not the same draft board. And that's ok, that's the reality. We're not complaining about it. So we do have to look at things a little bit differently.

"Everyone can throw up the players and we all love all the players that have been talked about, but there's some we can't pick. That's the reality.

"And then you've got some who rightfully, you understand why they're probably more comfortable wanting to stay at home.

"And that's ok. We're a national competition, that's how it works."

Despite losing further key personnel, the Giants have an excellent hand to work with under new Coach Adam Kingsley, with picks 1, 12, 15, 18, 19, 31, 43, 53, 57, 61 and 63 at their disposal for next month's draft.