But the dual premiership defender is just as excited at joining a GWS Giants list that can ''write their own history'' and is on the cusp of exploding up the ladder.

Hunt played 198 games in 13 seasons with the Cats and won flags in 2007 and 2011 before he was delisted at the end of last season.

The 31-year-old jumped at the chance to continue his career with the Giants alongside fellow mature-aged recruits Shane Mumford and Heath Shaw.

''It's always hard to leave somewhere you've been for so long, but saying that obviously they [Geelong] had enough of me and I didn't feel like I was finished with footy,'' Hunt said. ''The premierships are something you look back on your footy career and can't be taken away from you.

''Hopefully it's not the last of the premierships and it's definitely an exciting time here at the Giants.''

The Giants are in Canberra as part of a two-day community camp and will play three premiership games in the capital next year.

Hunt, his former Cats teammate Mumford and ex-Collingwood midfielder Shaw add plenty of experience to the Giants alongside a new influx of talent.

No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd headlines another impressive batch of youngsters to combine with All-Australian forward Jeremy Cameron, Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield.

''I don't know what they feed these young guys - Tom Boyd can't be 18, he looks like a 32-year-old man,'' Hunt said.

''Seeing the body types on these young guys, it's unbelievable.

''I think this team can write their own history and do whatever they want to do. The older guys have been around winning cultures and know the hard work that goes into it, and the young guys are like sponges and want to learn. It's very exciting.''

Mumford has come a long way since he played with Hunt at the Cats in 2008 and 2009.

After 21 games in his first two seasons, Mumford has become one of the leading ruckmen in the competition after his move to the Sydney Swans at the start of 2010.

The high-profile arrival of Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin to the Swans forced Mumford to join Sydney's cross-town rivals.

''I've got no regrets at all,'' Mumford said. ''I had a great time at the Swans, they looked after me and I was a premiership player. I don't look back with any regrets at all at my time there.''

Mumford believes the Giants will make a significant step up as the bulk of their players enter their third season at the elite level.

''With the young guys going into their second and third year, it's a massive thing,'' Mumford said.

''My best year would have been my third year. The body gets used to the rigours of AFL footy and hopefully they won't tire as quickly this year.''