The players completed an arduous three-kilometre time trial at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, preparing for their AFL debut.

And the winner was . . . Tom Scully in 9min 37sec, dispelling worries over his injured knee, with Tomas Bugg and Steve Clifton close behind.

The standout improver was Adam Treloar, beating his previous best by more than a minute, and Gerald Ugle improved by 50sec and Adam Kennedy by 21sec.

Meanwhile, it would be more than a stretch to describe Canberra as Sydney south-west. Apart from anything else, that could promote war between state and territory, but the Giants are doing their best to claim the ACT as their extended area.

The Giants will hold their first community camp in the nation's capital on March 15-16.

The Giants were out in the real west when they conducted a clinic at Gipps Road Oval, Greystanes.

Coach Kevin Sheedy has pronounced himself impressed by the pre-season efforts and said he was looking for 20 to 30 goals from rugby league recruit Israel Folau in the 2012 season.

"Some of the boys that we had last year have really lifted," Sheedy said.

"Obviously, Tom Scully and Callan Ward are very, very good players and are training very hard and very well.

"I think young Nick Haynes is looking pretty good.

"He looks like he's going to be a very good player.

"I think Izzy has an opportunity to kick 20 to 30 goals this year.

"We don't have any players at the moment that can kick 50 to 80 goals, so we need to get our goals through a number of players."

The Giants have put their acting skills to the test while filming a new TV commercial at Breakfast Point and Blacktown International Sportspark.

The commercial will help to promote the code in Sydney before the Giants debut

against the Sydney Swans at

ANZ Stadium on Saturday, March 24.

Meanwhile, No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton is returning to Australia after undergoing successful treatment on his left knee in Sweden.

"While we won't do anything to rush him or jeopardise his long-term future, we remain confident he will resume full training in early April and be available for selection in May," said general manager, football operations, Graeme Allan.