Greater Western Sydney list manager Stephen Silvagni has praised Phil Davis' defensive skills and nominated him as a potential leader at the AFL's 18th club.

Davis, who revealed mid-season he would leave Adelaide to join GWS, was officially confirmed as the club's third AFL-listed recruit in Canberra on Thursday.

The 21-year-old has his best years ahead of him, much like young midfield recruits Callan Ward and Rhys Palmer, but has already made an impression on Silvagni.

Silvagni, who had the honour of being named at fullback in the AFL's Team of the Century when it was announced in 1996, believes Davis has all the attributes to become a dominant defender.

"Phil's 197cm, key position, key defender, which don't come around every day," Silvagni said.

"He is a player who both (Giants football operations manager) Graeme Allen and myself targeted a long way out, knowing that Phil has immense ability and talent.

"In his short career, he has played on some of the greats of the game - (Nick) Riewoldt, (Lance) Franklin - and done some outstanding jobs on those position players."

It wasn't just Davis' football skills that impressed Silvagni, who played under many memorable leaders during a 312-game career at Carlton that spanned 17 years.

"It is also his leadership qualities, which really was one of the key contributors for the football club targeting Phil as a potential leader for the Giants," he said.

Silvagni said the young players on the Giants' list would find the rigours of their first full AFL season in 2012 "extreme" and that Davis' guidance would help with the process.

Davis, who is reportedly being touted as a possible co-captain at the club, said the decision to leave the Crows had been "extremely tough" but that he was looking forward to guiding the young list at the Giants.

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