Number 10 AFL draft pick Tom Green says joining the Giants is more special than if he were to go elsewhere having come through the club's academy system in Canberra.

AFL Canberra boss Steve Mahar says Green's arrival in western Sydney is the latest example of why the club's lucrative deal with the capital is worth every cent.

The Giants are eight years into a 10-year, $23 million deal with the ACT government to play matches at Manuka Oval.

But the partnership goes further than that with the club setting up an academy in Canberra amidst a wider push to establish a foothold in the city.

Giants coaches saw Green rise to a new level when he flicked a switch almost two years ago, and Mahar says perhaps having the carrot of an orange and charcoal jumper in front of him was the best thing for him.

"The tools he has at his disposal [are so valuable] in terms of being able to go and do aspects of the pre-season with the Giants, and have Giants academy coaches working so intensely with him," Mahar said.

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

"Maybe if that stimulus wasn't there, the drive for him to work as hard might not have been there. It might have been there, but it only helps kids like Tom continue their development.

"Instead of being a rookie or going later in the draft, he gets taken with pick 10 due to that exposure and high-level coaching he is receiving.

"That's a great thing from the Giants' perspective. It's a great pathway for the kids in that pathway.

"Also when they exit, they either play for the Canberra Demons or come back to local footy. Even the coaches involved in the Giants academy, they're going back and coaching local footy here.

"The ripple effect is massive."

Marist College product Green will fly to Sydney on Sunday and begin training on Monday as he sets his sights on an AFL debut next season.

It makes for a pretty quick turnaround in a hectic week, but there is nowhere Green would rather be.

"I've been working for it and seen how the Giants have done a lot for me," Green said.

"I'm stoked to be able to hopefully give back to the club which has given me a lot so far. I'm stoked and excited to get into it and get ready to start training and playing.

"There's no way to really describe it, it's just cool. You see it happen [when players are called up and handed a jersey] and you want that to be you, then it is you.

"What can you say? It's just unreal."