3 minute read
Toby Greene says his eighth-placed Giants have not faltered in their aspirations for a premiership despite falling to a fourth defeat in five games.
Despite a recent form slump, Toby Greene believes there is no need to write off Greater Western Sydney's premiership hopes.
After starting red-hot to top the AFL ladder with a 6-1 record, the Giants are in danger of slipping out of the eight after they fell to a fourth defeat in five games against Hawthorn last time out.
Holding a 19-point lead at the main break, Adam Kingsley's charges went down by six points when Hawks captain James Sicily was gifted a last-minute free kick inside 50 following a late bump by Tom Green.
Sitting eighth on percentage, above Gold Coast and Melbourne, GWS will need to win against fourth-placed Port Adelaide on Sunday to remain in touch with the league's top sides.
But even if the Giants slip out of the top eight, Greene remains optimistic it will be nothing but a blip in their path towards a maiden flag.
"Obviously, we're not where we want to be right now," the captain said on Wednesday.
"If you're out (of the top eight) at the end of the year, then that's not ideal but right now, it is what it is.
"We're not panicking if we're not in it right now.
"(League leaders Sydney) are the team to beat ... so that's where we got to get to. That's what we got to work towards.
"We got 10 or 11 weeks to do that but it doesn't change what our goal is at the end of the year."
Assessing their past performances, Greene is confident their deficiencies are overnight fixes.
"We know we're sort of killing ourselves a little bit, but also it's easy to train," Greene said.
"We just got to get back to what makes the Giants hard to play against.
"It's just a bit of fundamental stuff, system, a bit of pressure.
"It's a bit of decision making under pressure which with experience and with practice, you get better at."
GWS are set to receive a welcome boost with influential midfielder Josh Kelly and defensive stalwart Jack Buckley expected to return after both overcame calf injuries.