The Giants handed Mzungu an AFL lifeline in November's rookie draft, and the dreadlocked utility has responded with a huge pre-season that has prompted coach Leon Cameron to name him on an extended interchange ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Crows in Adelaide.

He's in line to join fellow Giants debutant Tim Taranto, after the 19-year-old also forced his way into Cameron's plans after being taken with pick No.2 in last year's national draft.

"That's a fantastic story, we just spoke about Tim Taranto ... early draft pick gets his opportunity, well and truly earned it, Tendai Mzungu may play, a 31-year-old rookie who thought his career was done and dusted," Cameron said.

"That's the great thing about this game, there's opportunities for everyone. He's fitted in really well and he may be running out at Footy Park at 3.20 against the Crows."

And while the Crows will know what to expect from Mzungu, Taranto is a different proposition.

They would have seen him take a monstrous hit from star Swan Lance Franklin in the second pre-season game, a collision made even more forceful by the inadvertent involvement of Shane Mumford. The Giants ruckman bumped Franklin into Taranto, and is proudly taking credit for the youngster's selection ahead of round one.

Adelaide would have also seen Taranto peel himself off the Blacktown turf that night, and return to the playing field to snap a goal.

"I had a look up and I didn't see anything and then next minute I was on the ground," Taranto said when asked about the incident.

"It was good to get that out of the way, hopefully I don't get another one. Mummy [Mumford] said it's all thanks to him that I'm getting a game this week.

"You've got to be [tough] at this level. I try and be tough, I try and match it with all the bigger boys, I have to bring that if I want to play in this team."

Cameron said he'd been contemplating a round-one start for Taranto even before the Franklin hit.

"There's little moments throughout the pre-season you see, I don't think it's one particular act," Cameron said.

"He played the Swans, he got hit hard and he got up and kicked a goal which was great that a young kid at that level can do that.

"It's his running ability through pre-season, his ability to stick through the tough times, through January and February when you're training Monday, Wednesday, Friday, two-hour sessions.

"It's his honesty, it's the way he's fitted into the group."