The pair have followed new Giants coach Lucas Mellier from the Tallangatta and District league club and look set to slot into key roles in defence and attack respectively.

Former Howlong and Corowa-Rutherglen player Nick Shelley has also committed to the Giants.

Shelley played senior football for North Heidelberg under former North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey this year.

He was a member of the club's losing preliminary final side against West Preston-Lakeside.

"They were the type of guys we wanted to recruit," Mellier said.

"Key position players were number one on the agenda.

"They have fantastic records at Thurgoona over the past 10-plus years and should fit nicely into the side.

"Nick played across half-back last season and we might look to play him through the middle as well."

Haydon is Thurgoona's senior games record-holder and played in two premierships for Thurgoona while Bruce has been a consistent goalkicker in three flags.

The Giants, who had good numbers at training at Walbundrie on Thursday night, are hoping to build on last season's result when they were eliminated in the first week of the finals.

Several youngsters from the under-17s are set to press for senior selection.

The Giants have lost Ryan Lavery (Melbourne) and Justin Gordon (retired) over the off-season.

Gordon had been a fine contributor for the Giants before being hampered by shoulder injuries in recent seasons.

Lavery, a former best and fairest winner, plans to stay in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, the Hume league draw is set to be released next week with officials waiting on the merged clubs to finalise their home matches.

With Anzac Day on a Saturday, clubs are looking at their options including playing junior matches after the seniors or switching to the Sunday.

Matches start on April 4.