Returning forward Jeremy Cameron feels GWS are better placed on the injury front, compared to their previous two AFL campaigns, as they seek to attack the business end of the season.
The Giants reached a preliminary final in both 2016 and 2017, losing to Western Bulldogs and Richmond respectively.
The Bulldogs and Tigers both went on to celebrate drought-breaking premierships.
GWS’s bid for a maiden flag hit a major hurdle during a month-long losing streak, with many pundits declaring their finals hopes over after a fourth straight loss.
The Giants were languishing in 11th spot on the ladder after round 10, but have since bounced back with seven wins from eight games.
Victory over Carlton, widely expected to be a formality at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, could lift GWS back into the top four.
“We’ve had a little bit of a different run into it (finals) this year. We started really well then had a dry spell for a month,” Cameron told reporters.
“It’s helped us in the long run, having that bit of a spell.
“We’ve kind of sat down as a club and spoken about a few little things.
“We’ve really attacked the second half of the year and are starting to play our best footy now, whereas in previous years we had almost been running out of players come September.”
Cameron will return from a five-game suspension this weekend.
Fellow stars Toby Greene, Brett Deledio and Josh Kelly, who all suffered long-term setbacks early in the season, have also been key inclusions during the Giants’ recent resurgence.
Ryan Griffen (hamstring) and Matt de Boer (ankle) headline the list of GWS players in the mix to return against the Blues.
“This year we’re really starting to get a lot of guys back and there’s lots of guys putting their hands up,” Cameron said.
“It’s very exciting around the club. You want to be going into your best form and hitting your straps this time of year.”
Cameron’s suspension was billed as a major blow to GWS’s top-eight prospects, but the expansion club have won four of the five games he has missed.
“There was a little bit spoken about that, I heard. That our season is pretty much a write-off,” he recalled.
“It was pretty laughable at the time. I couldn’t believe it.”