The AFL's interest in the Western Sydney market appeared to be rekindled after the Sydney Swans' Grand Final appearance in 2005, which started grassroots interest in the game in the highly populous region.

The Giants played their first game in the league on 24 March 2012 at ANZ Stadium in the inaugural Sydney Derby against the Sydney Swans

The Giants lost by 63 points.

On 12 May 2012 the club recorded its first win, defeating the Gold Coast Suns in Round 7 by 13.16 (94) to 9.13 (67).

The only other victory of the team's inaugural season was a 34-point win over Port Adelaide.

A Canberra logo is incorporated on its guernsey, with a separate Canberra guernsey being used for games at Manuka.

They also played in a special guernsey as part of the centenary of Canberra celebrations.

Their training ground is located at Sydney Olympic Park, and was named Tom Wills Oval in 2013 in honour of Australian football pioneer Tom Wills, who was born in NSW and has family connections to Western Sydney.