The Giants will bring the Hawthorn Hawks to Canberra in a regular season game for the first time when the two sides collide at Manuka Oval on Friday night.

The ACT government is eight years into a $23 million, 10-year deal to host three of GWS' regular season matches and one pre-season game in the capital each year.

Political power brokers are locked in negotiations with the Giants and the AFL for a new long-term deal to bring elite Australian football content to Canberra.

Government officials have given their preferences for the terms of the new deal to the AFL which is also set to include AFLW games, which the Giants have brought to Canberra as part of their commitment to the region despite no formal agreement.

It is hoped the Giants will sign off on an agreement as early as this year to avoid year-by-year deals which could hinder fan engagement.

"We're hopeful of reaching an outcome in the short term," Giants chief operating officer James Avery said.

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"At this stage we're just continuing to work through the details of what a new agreement would look like.

"[The length] is one of the elements being discussed. There is a desire from both the Giants and the government to have something long-term in place.

"We have no desire to not be in Canberra and we believe the government feels the same way.

"We're working towards a solution that would work across both the men's and women's teams given it has been such a success having our AFLW team playing here in addition to the men's."

The original 10-year deal sought to bring as many teams as possible to the capital.

Hawthorn's arrival leaves Collingwood, Carlton, Sydney, Essendon, Brisbane, and West Coast as the only clubs yet to play the Giants for premiership points at Manuka Oval.

"Footy is growing here. No doubt us being here and playing our home games here is fantastic for Canberra," Giants coach Leon Cameron said.

"The past three or four years, we've played some good footy here. We like playing at Manuka and no doubt the support of the orange supporters is growing really strong.

"Not only just here and in surrounding areas, but I think a lot of people from Sydney travel down as well.

"The past six or seven games that I can remember, it's always around that 13,000 to 16,000 crowd is just fantastic for footy and fantastic for our club."

The Giants have brought a squad of 24 to Canberra with Cameron considering the merit of playing two rucks with Dawson Simpson making the trip.

Simpson's inclusion to partner Shane Mumford hinges on the conditions in Canberra with icy temperatures set to be partnered by rain on game day.

Adam Kennedy has been added to the squad having overcome a heart scare while Coleman Medal front-runner Jeremy Cameron returns at the expense of Harry Himmelberg (calf).

"No doubt he has had a great year," Cameron said.

"He's one of our leaders down the front end. Those sort of players are irreplaceable. It's good to get him back, if he ticks all the boxes he will play."

Josh Kelly and Matt de Boer have been left behind with the Giants opting to err on the side of caution and give the pair an extra 10 days to prepare for the club's next game.

"You want those sort of quality players playing as quick as they possibly can," Cameron said.

"With Matty, we probably thought it would be either this week or next week. Josh took a little bit longer with his calf.

"Hopefully he ticks the box for next weekend."

AFL ROUND 21

Friday: GWS Giants v Hawthorn Hawks at Manuka Oval, 7.50pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.