Forward thinking in Giants' AFL flag bid

The Giants' new skipper admitted last year's 89-point grand final hammering from Richmond still sits in his teammates' guts.

But that pain won't be the main driving factor behind the expansion club's next push for a maiden flag.

"Although it hurts and you remember things like that, the season is so long and the competition is so even that you need to find different ways to motivate ourselves," Coniglio said.

"We've found that out when we've been to preliminary finals before (in 2016 and 2017).

"You can only use that at certain times of the year to really dig up old wounds and to really motivate you to go that extra mile.

"We need to keep getting better as individuals and collectively, so there's nothing really about redemption for us."

Coniglio welcomed rival club captains' tip that the Giants were more likely than any other side to reach the grand final this year, as revealed in the AFL's annual poll of on-field leaders on Tuesday.

The tough and skilful midfielder said Richmond were still the side to beat in his eyes, but is convinced the Giants' best football will be as good as any of their rivals' this season.

Coniglio, who has taken over the captaincy reins from foundation skippers Phil Davis and Callan Ward, has been buoyed by a strong mix of youth and experience at GWS.

The 26-year-old pointed to young players Tom Green, Lachie Ash, Jye Caldwell and Jackson Hately as the up-and-coming sorts who will complement the Giants' established stars.

"They can mix it with guys like myself, Jeremy (Cameron), Toby (Greene) and Lachie Whitfield, and then you've got guys like Heath Shaw and Sam Jacobs in that older bracket," Coniglio said.

"It's a really nice blend and we've just got to make sure we do everything we can to get it right.

"It's about starting well and gaining momentum as the season gets on."

Coniglio tipped livewire teammate Greene would take his game to a new level this season after stronger summer preparation than he has had in previous years.

"It's scary to think what he's capable of," Coniglio said.

"He's one of the best players in the competition and mentally, more than anything, he's in a really good phase."

Australian Associated Press