A loss to Collingwood would mathematically dent GWS’s AFL top-four hopes, but coach Leon Cameron isn’t reaching for the calculator just yet.
The Giants are staring down the barrel of a dreaded 1-3 start to the season, with back-to-back losses to North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs since the restart.
That could quickly become reality as the flag favourite Magpies arrive in Sydney with an axe to grind after last year’s four-point preliminary final loss.
But Cameron isn’t looking too far ahead despite the enormity of Friday’s clash at Giants Stadium.
“I understand there’s going to be lots of ebbs and flows throughout the year,” Cameron told reporters on Thursday.
“There’s a few sides that have probably started a bit slower than what they would have and we’re one of them.
“But equally there’s going to be lots of twists and turns. Whatever happens after round four, I’m not really worried about it at the moment.
“Round four is our clear focus and that is to take it to the Pies, who clearly sit up near the top of the ladder.
“We need to play a brand like we played last year and we need to find that and find it quickly.”
After sitting out the Giants’ 24-point loss to the Dogs with minor injuries, Toby Greene (knee) and Josh Kelly (calf) will return as Daniel Lloyd and Jye Caldwell make way.
Lachie Whitfield and Brent Daniels, who both suffered concussions last week, have both kept their spots after passing cognitive tests.
Adelaide recruit Sam Jacobs has been dropped, with veteran ruckman Shane Mumford the preferred match-up for Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy.
The star Magpie will be licking his lips after amassing an astonishing 73 hit-outs in their last head-to-head battle in the preliminary final.
GWS were rank outsiders that evening but held on in the dying seconds to reach their first AFL decider and deny Collingwood a shot at grand-final redemption.
They find themselves wearing the underdog tag again, with the Magpies riding high after dismantling St Kilda by 44 points.
But Cameron has no plans to draw on on the emotion of last year’s famous win to motivate his sputtering side.
“That’s done and dusted,” he said.
“We feel as though we match-up well against them and they would probably say the same thing.
“Some of our players have probably dropped away a little bit in … in the past couple of weeks.
“They know who they are and they’re looking forward to righting those wrongs.”