Even eternal optimist Kevin Sheedy admits Team GWS will not be "physically capable" of matching their AFL rivals when they make their debut a year ahead of schedule in the 2011 NAB Cup.

But the four-time premiership coach said Fremantle's 2010 success showed he could eventually build a competitive team via the national draft.

On the Gold Coast as part of an "information sharing" session with fellow AFL newcomers, Sheedy was brutally honest on Monday when quizzed about their surprise inclusion in a new-look pre-season Cup format.

Asked if his side would be physically capable by next year's NAB Cup, Sheedy said: "No, not necessarily physically capable because they are a very young side.

"But I think the NAB Cup is there to promote our youngest best players.

"The pre-season comp is about letting everybody in Australia have a look at early talent - that can be very exciting."

The new-look NAB Cup will feature six three-team groups playing a "lightning round" involving three matches in succession, each of two 20-minute halves.

Sheedy said Fremantle's rise up the 2010 ladder showed that Team GWS could build a competitive team with their draft concessions.

"Fremantle are doing it right now. They have picked players that no-one wanted," he said.

"The talented players are there. You've got to forget about birth dates and go and pick the best players you can.

"People talk about windows of opportunity - Richmond have had five lots of five years of windows of opportunity and they are last.

"They keep walking past players.

"I believe the draft is the best thing that has happened in my time - because everybody has a chance."

While keen to trumpet Team GWS' plan to look around the world - and other codes - for talent, Sheedy said they would not ignore their recruitment zones in NSW.

And he was excited by the prospect considering the state's success rate - something Sheedy thought had been largely overlooked until now.

"When you look at the best players who have come out of NSW in the last 20 years, they are probably my best two captains - James Hird and Terry Daniher," he said.

"And in there are probably six premiership players and best and fairests from NSW.

"NSW have not been praised enough for the players they have developed in our game.

"And the greatest coach in the history of AFL Jock McHale was born in Sydney."

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