GWS hope Ryan Griffen steps up in 2016
Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron hopes Ryan Griffen will follow in the footsteps of Heath Shaw and have an "exceptional" second year at the AFL club.
The former Western Bulldogs captain had sought a fresh start in Sydney in 2015 but endured - in his own words - an inconsistent season.
The 29-year-old played all but the final game of the season, which he missed due to a medial ligament injury to his left knee.
Cameron said Griffen was well settled in Sydney now, but conceded his first year was "tough".
"It's a big decision to move clubs," he said on Wednesday.
"Most of these players sometimes take a year, especially when you've been at a club for 10 years."
He said it was a similar case for Shaw, who crossed from Collingwood in 2014 and went on to be named the club's best and fairest last year.
"Heath's first year was pretty good, but his second year was exceptional," added Cameron.
"We'd love to see if we can get sort of year out of Ryan Griffen.
"All indicators are that that's heading in the right direction with his pre-season.
"Time will tell."
Griffen will sit out the Giants' first NAB Challenge match against the Western Bulldogs in Canberra on Thursday, but is likely to get a run in one or both of their other fixtures.
