Stern words from their midfield leaders have put GWS back on track for a tilt at a maiden AFL flag.

For the third straight season, the AFL’s youngest club will play at least two finals matches.

The 49-point elimination final win over arch-rivals Sydney propelled the Giants into a semi-final against Collingwood at the MCG, where they beat the Magpies by 16 points back in round two.

GWS smashed the Swans 163-124 in contested possessions, despite losing gun midfielder Josh Kelly early in the game.

After sub-standard contest efforts in the last quarter of their round-22 loss to Sydney and the following week against Melbourne, the Giants responded with their fiercest effort of the season on Saturday.

“As well as being a final it was also an opportunity for us to respond and show that when we play our best footy we feel like we can beat anyone.” midfielder Jacob Hopper told AAP.

“We made sure as a midfield group we brought the heat and added that energy around the contest.”

Hopper, who had a season-low 11 disposals against Melbourne, improved to 26 on Saturday and was one of 11 Giants to finish with 20 or more possessions.

He revealed the midfielders took it upon themselves to lift after the Melbourne game, in addition to being challenged by coach Leon Cameron.

“There was definitely the challenge, but I think internally we knew that we let ourselves down, we let the team down as a midfield group,” Hopper said.

“We’ve got some really good leaders in there in Cogs (Stephen Coniglio) and Josh Kelly and Callan Ward.

“They really drove it and said ‘boys, enough is enough and it’s time to stand up now’.

“It’s our third finals campaign, so we want to make a mark and play the best footy we can.”

Before the game AFL boss Gillon McLachlan praised GWS for their resilience in overcoming a huge injury toll, something Collingwood has also had to deal with this season.

The Giants demonstrated resilience again after Kelly’s knee injury, which threatens to keep him out of next Saturday’s game.

“We know it’s there because we’ve had to almost practise it, nearly every week throughout the AFL season,” Hopper said.

“To lose another soldier, there was almost a sense of normality about it.

‘We knew that we just had to all step up and crack in for Josh and give ourselves the best chance to play next week.”