Kevin Sheedy with members of the Giants academy and lawyers from Slater and Gordon before their exhibition match.
GREATER Western Sydney Giants coach Kevin Sheedy says Gipps Road Oval, Greystanes, is the logical place for the AFL newcomers to train leading into their debut season.
The Giants used the facilities and ground over the off season to prepare for their inaugural year in the top-flight competition.
Sheedy praised the home ground of local team the Holroyd Parramatta Goannas.
"The ground helped us head in to the NAB Cup [preseason tournament] with some form," he said.
"It was good.
"There was no cricket pitch, so we could practise our plays down the middle.
"It's going to be a great facility especially for the AFL club the Goannas.
"To build proper facilities for youth clubs is important for communities."
Last week Sheedy went to The King's School North Parramatta to watch 60 future stars from the ACT and from all over the state of NSW put through there paces. It was part of a four-day development camp that Sheedy said was about developing talent as well as the code in NSW.
"These days are about the growth of the game," he said. "We don't want to miss out on any of these kids that are in NSW. If the Giants weren't here I don't think the guys would get the training they are having here. It is a great step in the right direction for the AFL.
The four-time premiership winning coach confessed that the AFL's expansion into western Sydney was "15 years too late". He also told the young Giants squad it would take time to develop.
"We know in the AFL it takes 50 games to make it and not everyone makes it to 50," he said. "This first year is about giving them as much experience as they can and giving them belief.
"Don't worry about age, because it doesn't affect your talent."
Lawyers from Slater and Gordon beat the Giants academy team in an exhibition match boil over, 36-30.