Giants want grunt work calling card

[Ricochet]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-01-15/giant-grunt-work?utm_medium=RSS

GREATER Western Sydney boasts an astonishing stockpile of blue-chip youngsters, but the Giants want to become known for a blue-collar work ethic in 2014, recruit Cameron McCarthy says.

Since snaring Jeremy Cameron and Dylan Shiel among their 17-year-old access selections in late 2010, the Giants have over the past three drafts snared first-round picks such as Jonathon Patton, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield, Jono O'Rourke, Lachie Plowman, Tom Boyd, Joshua Kelly and McCarthy.

McCarthy knew he was joining a talented team, but told AFL.com.au it was not until he hit the training track at Sydney Olympic Park late last year that he appreciated just how talented the Giants' core of youngsters is.

McCarthy says watching Cameron this pre-season has shown him the work ethic required to succeed in the AFL.

McCarthy made an impressive start to his first AFL pre-season, but came down with a sore left ankle just before Christmas.

McCarthy subsequently had to wear a moon boot and was restricted to swimming and upper body weights.

But he was set to discard the moon boot this Wednesday and was looking forward to upping his training load.