The Giants' total player payments have been reduced two years ahead of the schedule laid out when the newest club's draft and salary cap concessions were announced in 2009, contributing to a list squeeze this year.

The removal of the extra money is not a kneejerk response to the Giants' success this year, but formed part of the new competitive balance policy announced in mid-2014.

While the AFL did not clarify that the Giants would sacrifice the additional money, the league said then that it intended for all clubs to be operating from an equal salary cap by 2017.

GWS was originally meant to have access to an additional $400,000-$640,000 in 2017 to help with player retention, as well as an extra $200,000-$520,000 in 2018.

The club was also supposed to have a senior list of 40-44 players in 2017, and 38-42 in 2018.

Instead the Giants will go into 2017 with a primary list of 40 players, and have to spread their cap over two more players than the 17 other clubs.

Under the original plan, the club was due to fall in line with other teams in 2019.

Opposition clubs have long rallied against the draft concessions handed to the Giants ahead of their entry to the competition, as well as their priority access to Riverina players through their development academy.

The Giants have been denied access this year to talented draft prospect Todd Marshall, who lived in their academy zone but only returned to football from cricket at the start of this year.

The AFL is looking into whether the club is entitled to claim Jarrod Brander, another highly promising tall forward, who on exposed form looks like he could become a high pick in 2017.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire this week floated an idea that the Giants should be forced to sit out the next two drafts, while retaining access to their academy players.

The salary cap situation has contributed to a list squeeze at the Giants, with a number of young players expected to move out during next week's trade period.

Former top 10 draftee Will Hoskin-Elliott, who has one year to go on a significant contract, is likely to join Collingwood.

Caleb Marchbank has requested a trade to Carlton, with recent top 10 picks Jarrod Pickett, Paul Ahern and forward James Stewart among the others who could move.

Midfielder Jack Steele, should he choose to leave, will likely be traded to St Kilda.

Giants list manager Craig Cameron confirmed on Trade Radio this week that the club would be on level pegging with the other 17 teams next year in terms of both list size and total player payments.

"We've got to reduce by two (players) next year so we'll be in the same position as every other club," he said.

"We'll reduce back to 40 players and our salary cap comes back to normal levels.

"That creates a little bit of tightness from a list number perspective."

The Giants must take at least three selections in the upcoming national draft, with academy players Will Setterfield and Harry Perryman expected to attract reasonably early bids.

Setterfield, in particular, shapes as a top 5-10 selection.