Greater Western Sydney forward Toby Greene began the year aiming just to get a regular game with the Giants, but will finish it among the competition's elite after being named in the AFL's All-Australian team.

The stellar home and away campaigns of the two Sydney-based clubs was recognised on Thursday night with seven players picked in the team of the year, including Swans superstar Lance Franklin.

Franklin, who missed out last year, becomes a six-time All-Australian after reaffirming himself as one of the game's best forwards. The Swans had all five of their nominated players make the team, with Luke Parker and Dane Rampe collecting their first All-Australian jumpers while ball magnets Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy are in for a third time. Giants vice-captain Heath Shaw held his place in the team but Stephen Coniglio, Tom Scully and Callan Ward missed out.

Greene's inclusion is the case of a former bad boy come good. The former first-round draft pick's career was at the crossroads two years ago after he was arrested for his role in a Melbourne pub brawl, but he has since become a key player in the club's rise up the ladder.

The 22-year-old was stunned when told by the Giants football manager Wayne Campbell he had made the final cut, as was his mother when he relayed the news.

"I didn't think he was being serious, I thought I might just be in the squad," Greene, the club's third All-Australian representative, said. "It was a massive shock and something I'm really honoured to be a part of.

"It's a massive achievement, something I definitely didn't expect at the start of the year. I was just worried about getting a game.

"It's definitely weird saying 'All-Australian', it might take a bit to sink in."

Selectors could not ignore Greene, who cut his teeth as an onballer, after a season where he booted a career-best 39 goals playing in the unfamiliar role of a small forward. "[I'm] a bit more of a natural down there now," Greene said.

Greene is part of the expansion club's 2011 draft intake, which has formed the nucleus of the Giants' team. After weekly hammerings in their early years the Giants have become premiership contenders this year on the back of breakout seasons from foundation players such as Coniglio, Scully and Nick Haynes, climbing from 11th to fourth.

"With the results we've had this year it was always going to come with a lot of boys going at a massive rate," Greene said. "We've seen five boys in and a couple more who were a little bit stiff as well not to make it. It shows where the club's heading and hopefully we can keep building."

After an abrupt end to his days at Collingwood, Shaw has taken his game to another level since moving north to become one of the best rebounding defenders in the league. Next week's final will be Shaw's 50th consecutive game, a commendable achievement for a player who was not known for having a meticulous preparation.

"As you get older you understand how important it is. Back in the day you'd roll up and play and not stretch too much – [it] doesn't work anymore," Shaw said.

"You have to get yourself as well-prepared as possible because it's a tough game and hard. To be able to string two full seasons together is pretty good. It helps that consistency if you're consistent off the field."