Toby Greene will lead the Giants as captain in 2023, with Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly to be vice-captains.
"I've come a long way and it took a long time, but I've done a lot of work on my leadership skills," Greene said.
"As a young kid I was probably nowhere near it and was trying to find my way in AFL footy but I'm in my twelfth season now and I've been here since the start.
"It's a massive honour and I'll be certainly putting all my time and effort into doing the best job I can."
Josh Kelly signs an eight-year contract extension with GWS, turning his back on a six-year offer from North Melbourne.
"Probably in the back of my mind I've always thought one day I'd return to Victoria or play footy elsewhere," Kelly said.
"But I've loved being involved in a football club, forming those relationships and being part of building that culture especially with the Giants who are a young football club.
"So maybe not initially, but throughout it all I've come to love the club, come to love living in Sydney and am excited about what's ahead."
Josh Kelly will serve as skipper of the Giants during the injury-enforced absence of Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene.
"The good thing about it is his unbelievable, selfless approach over the last six or seven weeks when we've been down on numbers and he's been filling in different positions. He plays mid, he plays wing, he plays high half-forward, and yet his performances have been first-class," Giants coach Leon Cameron said of Kelly.
"That's the sort of player we're talking about and that's the sort of reason why it was an easy decision."
Stephen Coniglio will remain skipper of the Giants in 2021 while Toby Greene has been elevated to the role of vice-captain.
Phil Davis, Jacob Hopper, Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly and Matt de Boer round out the club's leadership group.
"It's an honour to be vice-captain of a club that I love so much and that has given me so much in my life. Leadership is something I've worked really hard on developing. It's an area I want to continue to improve in," Greene said.
"I'm really proud to support 'Cogs' as our captain. We've got a really strong group that will drive us forward in 2021."
Nine players received more than $1 million in the 2019 AFL season, with Dustin Martin and Nat Fyfe the standout earners.
It is believed Martin and Fyfe each earnt more than $1.3 million on 2019 accounts, well clear of the game's other million-dollar players headed by West Coast's Jeremy McGovern, GWS's Jeremy Cameron and Sydney's Lance Franklin.
Others in, or near, the million-dollar club include the Giants' Josh Kelly, Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury, Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield, Dog Marcus Bontempelli, Eagle Andrew Gaff, and Carlton's Patrick Cripps.
Stephen Coniglio will captain GWS in 2020 as part of a six-man leadership group.
The Giants won't have any vice-captains under Coniglio, instead entrusting Josh Kelly and Matt de Boer to support the star midfielder, along with newcomers Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene and Lachie Whitfield.
Phil Davis and Callan Ward have stepped away from the Giants' leadership group after eight seasons as co-captains of the club.
"We're very fortunate at the Giants to have some outstanding leaders and I'm really confident in the mix of players that will be supporting Stephen as on-field leaders," GWS footy boss Jason McCartney said.
As he prepares to play in the 2019 Grand Final for the Giants, Josh Kelly's decision to resist the lure of lucrative offers to remain at GWS appears to be paying dividends.
"Knowing what we're capable of and what we are as a club was definitely part of my reason to stay, but I don't need a premiership to justify it," Kelly said.
"The club, and more importantly the people we have involved here, is why I stayed."
Josh Kelly will be sidelined for three weeks after sustaining a grade one tear in his left calf during the final quarter of the Giants' disappointing loss to Brisbane.
Josh Kelly signs a two-year contract extension with Greater Western Sydney to remain at the club until the end of 2021.
"I'm not going to lie, it was a tough decision," Kelly said.
"There's always that opportunity to move back to be close to family and play in Victoria, but I love the club and I feel like we've got something really special here."
Josh Kelly provides a rare insight into what it was like to have been the subject of intense media speculation over his contract status in 2017.
"I really appreciate the media and love what they do for the game, but when I'm in the situation I'm in with my contract, I'm very wary about what I say," he explained.
"When you have to hang onto your every word (because of the potential) to have that be twisted (negatively), that's my only issue with it."
Greater Western Sydney will be led by co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward for the eighth consecutive season as the club announced an unchanged leadership group for 2019.
Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly will again be vice-captains, while Matt de Boer is the final member of the group.
"What that process demonstrated for us is that we have a number of outstanding leaders at our club both in official leadership positions as well as across our entire playing group," Giants football manager Wayne Campbell said.
Giants coach Leon Cameron says conversations on a new contract between Greater Western Sydney and Josh Kelly, who enters the final year of his contract in 2019, are progressing much more quickly than two years ago.
"We feel as though we're in a really good space. I think it's going to start heating up," Cameron said.
"It's like anything, you're finding the right balance between club and player and manager, but I would have to say we're in a really good position in terms of just having that really good dialogue."
Josh Kelly says he's primed to attack 2019 year fully fit after a frustrating 2018 season in which he missed eight games.
"I'll be on a modified program (when pre-season begins) to make sure we get on top of these things and sort it all out, but it's all designed to get me in the best nick for round one," he said.
"The hip is usually the longer rehabilitation, but right now they both feel really good.
"It's all about getting the surrounding areas likes my glutes and hamstrings right, so once I'm back playing there's no issues."
Josh Kelly is unlikely to take his place in the Giants' squad to face Collingwood in a semi-final at the MCG this week due to a knee injury.
Kelly limped from the ground late in the opening term of the Giants' 49-point qualifying final win over Sydney and despite having his knee strapped and tested, he played no further part in the game.
"Josh has got a pre-existing lateral meniscus issue that he manages beautifully," GWS head of athletic performance David Joyce said.
"The meniscus is the shock absorber for the knee and on the weekend, he had a twisting incident which has aggravated it."
Matt de Boer's remarkable career renaissance after being elevated into a new-look leadership group at Greater Western Sydney.
The Giants will again be led by co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis, who continue in the role for the seventh straight year, with vice-captain Stephen Coniglio joined by star midfielder Josh Kelly as a deputy.
All Australian Dylan Shiel was voted into the group again, but opted to step away from his leadership duties, while veteran defender Heath Shaw also made way.
Jacob Hopper says media speculation around Josh Kelly's future in 2017 helped alleviate the scrutiny surrounding his own contract situation.
"I’m not going to lie, it was a good thing Josh was in the headlines so much because he probably took a couple of bullets for me," Hopper said with a laugh.
"I was injured for such a large chunk of the year and I didn’t want to make a decision when I wasn’t in the greatest headspace, given I was plugging away in rehab.
"Once I started playing again, it wasn’t a hard decision to sign on.
"Josh’s situation was obviously more enhanced than mine but it was good to have some discussions with him about it and have that support there.
"We pulled some articles up every now and then about him and had a bit of a giggle about it and I think that banter helped as well."
Josh Kelly caps off an outstanding 2017 season, taking home the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the Giants' 2017 Club Champion.
Kelly finished 26 ahead of co-captain and 2012 Kevin Sheedy Medallist Callan Ward on 172 votes. Fellow co-captain Phil Davis (153 votes), 2017 Virgin Australia All Australian Dylan Shiel (152 votes) and running machine Tom Scully (137 votes) rounded out the top five.
“There’s no doubt Josh took his game to a new level this year playing a variety of roles and playing with a high level of consistency," Giants coach Leon Cameron said.
“He was part of our leadership group for the first time this year and everyone at the Giants admires his dedication to the club and playing group."
Dustin Martin is named the AFL Players' Association Most Valuable Player.
Martin tallied 1333 votes, more than 500 ahead of Patrick Dangerfield on 776. Out-of-contract Greater Western Sydney gun Josh Kelly rounded out the top three with 416.
Dylan Shiel says Giants teammate Josh Kelly's decision about his future will be between family and team-success.
"Of course, people are going to look at it and go, 'Well, Josh is facing a money dilemma; whether he comes home for a lot of money or he stays for still a lot of money', in terms of what the general public are used to," Shiel said.
"But it's more than just a dollar decision for players.
"He's got an opportunity to move back home with his family and be with his friends and be around his natural home surroundings, so it's an incredibly difficult decision to make."
Josh Kelly racks up a career-high 38 disposals in the Giants' 16-point win over Essendon.
Essendon coach John Worsfold defended his decision not to tag Josh Kelly, despite the star Giant carving the Bombers up at Spotless Stadium.
"At half-time we addressed the volume of his possession, but it was a pretty even game and we tried to get a little bit tighter on him in the second half, while still wanting to generate our ball going forward," Worsfold said.
"He's a very good player. We weren't prepared to just put a straight stopper on him, but certainly (they) were accountable for him."
Josh Kelly is no closer to deciding his future but says he's not unsettled by the scrutiny over his next contract.
"There'll be a whole bunch of factors that will come into my decision when the time is right, but right now I'm just focusing on my footy," Kelly said.
"I love the club, I love playing footy here, I love my teammates, so it's not an issue right now.
"It is a bit hard with the boys ripping into you constantly. There's no sympathy from them, but I just try and put that to the side and don't try and focus on it too much."
GWS believes the scrutiny on Josh Kelly's future is actually benefiting his performances on the field.
"We hope the scrutiny increases, because he just seems to be playing better and better footy under it, but we'd certainty like his signature sometime this year," GWS football manager Wayne Campbell said.
"He's handling it really well, he's showing why other clubs are interested, because he's a really good kid and a really fine footballer."
North Melbourne's mega offer to Giants young gun Josh Kelly is music to coach Brad Scott's ears, but he has distanced himself from the multi-million dollar recruiting coup.
"He'd be a nice player to coach, that's for sure," Scott said.
"He's an exceptional young player and I understand there's going to be a lot of speculation about him, but my job is to coach the team – not to speculate on potential player movement."
GWS coach says he is confident a deal with Josh Kelly will get done soon.
"He really likes the place, he's bought into our footy club, he's in our leadership group, he's playing really good footy, he's very popular (here), and he wants to stay," Cameron said of Kelly.
"He's very grounded and a very relaxed sort of lad, he knows there'll be a fair bit of kerfuffle about it, but he'll deal with it and hopefully we can get it done and dusted over the next couple of weeks, or month or so."
Greater Western Sydney remains confident of re-signing Josh Kelly despite North Melbourne's audacious bid to snare the star midfielder on a multi-million dollar, nine-year contract.
Kelly, 2013's No.2 draft pick, has been in talks with the Giants for several months about extending his contract, which is due to expire at the end of 2017.
However, North has given Kelly pause to think with a nine-year offer reported to be worth close to $9 million.
Josh Kelly is out of contract at the end of 2017 but he's been given an indication of how highly he's regarded at Greater Western Sydney after being named captain for this week's opening round of the JLT Community Series.
"My management and the club are working through that, but at the moment to be honest, my focus is on footy, and getting a kick through the JLT Community Series in preparation for round one," he said.
"Skippering this week is what my focus is on at the moment.
"It's very humbling and extremely exciting, I'm just hanging to get out there and lead our young group on the weekend.
"It's something I've been working on, with my leadership I've always felt like I've led by example, but being a bit more vocal and instructive out on the field is an area I've been working on, and this will be a good chance to do that."
Extra weight and tips from two of the best midfielders of recent times are turning GWS Giants youngster Josh Kelly into a midfield force in the AFL.
Just short of the halfway stage of the campaign, 21-year-old Kelly is on track to record career-best season tallies in the most significant categories for a midfielder.
"I've been a pretty light frame over the last couple of years and I think when I came to the club I was about 73(kg), so it's been a fair change," Kelly said.
"Over the pre-season I've just tried to put a bit of weight on because my goal is to eventually be an inside and outside midfielder, so I've been working on my contested ball, a few things around stoppages.
"I've been doing that with Lenny Hayes and Luke Power, just a few of the tricks they used to use when they were playing."
GWS coach Leon Cameron says he is confident youngster Josh Kelly can back up his excellent debut season last year with another strong year in 2015.
"His first year exceeded expectation from myself and the coaching group. We always knew he had an enormous amount of ability, he showed that in his under-18 year and as a junior. But he's just got great balance, composure, and he makes really good decisions," Cameron said.
"He played mostly outside last year, [on the] wing and half-forward, but eventually I can clearly see he's going to be able to play inside as well.
"The second year is always tough, because the opposition know about you now, but with the pre-season that he's had, we're really confident he can have a good impact this year."
Adam Treloar says new GWS teammate and No.2 draft pick Josh Kelly will quickly become an elite player of the competition.
"He is super professional with the way he goes about everything. He is a second-year player and he acts like a veteran in the footy club," Treloar said.
"He's confident. He has all the skills, he can run, he's quick, he's good overhead for his size, he can play inside and outside."
Number one draft pick Tom Boyd will make his debut against the Crows in round 5 after admitting to feelings of envy watching teammate and No.2 pick Josh Kelly making three senior appearances so far.
"I'm really happy for him," Boyd said.
"He's one of my great mates and he's a great kid and very well liked and respected around this place.
"I've been super excited for him and still a bit jealous. I think everyone playing in the NEAFL wants to be playing in the AFL.
"But the overwhelming feeling is just excitement for him and to see how he played in his first couple of games gave me a lot of confidence."
No.2 draft pick Josh Kelly becomes the 12th player in the GWS's short history to be nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star award.
Kelly collected 17 disposals in wet conditions – including seven contested – and booted two classy goals in the final term to help seal GWS' second win for the season against Melbourne.
"It's a bit of recognition for all your hard work over pre-season," Kelly said about his nomination.
"It was a pleasant surprise. It really wasn't something that I expected."
Josh Kelly extends his contract with GWS, signing a new deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.
"At the moment, everything about the club, I'm just really enjoying my time here," Kelly said.
"We've got a state-of-the-art facility, coaching panel has been great, playing with the boys and just seeing the win (against the Sydney Swans) in round one is something I want to be part of as well.
Joshua Kelly makes his AFL debut for GWS at Docklands Stadium with 11 disposals (4 kicks and 7 handballs), a mark and 3 tackles in a 7-point loss to St Kilda.
Joshua Kelly makes his AFL debut as a substitute for the Giants in round 2 against St Kilda and impresses with 12 possessions in 30 minutes of football.
"Playing as the sub is pretty nerve wracking, but I did a similar thing down in Wagga in the pre-season against St Kilda," Kelly said.
"I had a little bit of an understanding of what it would be like sitting on the sidelines just waiting for my go, but once you get on you've just got to work hard and try to get involved.
"I've been waiting a long time for this game and to be able to share it with my family and friends who were here was pretty exciting."
As expected, GWS select Tom Boyd and Josh Kelly with their first two picks in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.
"I'm just willing to take the challenge head-on, and put my best foot forward," Boyd said.
"I'll be going to the Giants like any other player, and just trying to put my best foot forward on the training track and earn the respect of my teammates."