Jesse Hogan believes a month of virtual AFL elimination finals will hold GWS in good stead as they seek to extend a barnstorming run and topple Geelong.
Hogan was an indomitable force in his first final, clutching a career-best six contested marks in the Giants' remarkable one-point win over Sydney.
The epic elimination final was the club's fourth victory in a row, extending a streak that started with a win over the Cats in Geelong.
The Giants, who now shift base to Tasmanian golf club Barnbougle as they continue a stint away from home that started on June 22, needed to win in the last three rounds to be assured of a finals berth.
Hogan, who will celebrate his 100th game when GWS tackle Chris Scott's side in a semi-final, says it was ideal preparation for finals.
"Each week we've gone in with a really aggressive mindset that it's do or die," Hogan told AAP.
"That's probably not like other teams in finals.
"This time of year you're going to play some really good sides.
"But we'll go into it really confident.
"It was a pretty special feeling in the change rooms (after the elimination final). We know it's not a grand final or anything but to do that against the Swans was a pretty unreal feeling."
The key forward has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, finding form and fitness after quad and calf issues ruined the first half of his first season at GWS.
On the cusp of retirement, until the Giants offered a one-year deal for 2021, Hogan has already signed a contract extension and is threatening to fulfil the potential he exhibited while winning the 2015 Rising Star award.
"When I was 18, I didn't think my first final was going to be down at UTAS at half capacity and all the rest of it," the former Fremantle and Melbourne star said.
"I was feeling quite dangerous out there.
"To kick that one at the end of the third quarter was massive, if I'd missed that then there would have been a few more nerves.
"I barely got near the football in the first quarter. I had a really good conversation with Stevie J (assistant coach Steve Johnson), kept working hard."
GWS coach Leon Cameron is thrilled Hogan is getting reward for effort after his career stalled because of multiple injuries, an anxiety disorder and what the Dockers called poor alcohol choices.
"We know he wanted to have one last chance at AFL footy," Cameron said.
"He's come to our footy club, knuckled down and got a lot right with his life off the field. Which we're really proud of.
"He's only just starting to scratch the surface."
