GWS coach Leon Cameron says his AFL side's finals campaign starts with Friday night's match against fellow top-eight contender Richmond.
The Giants sit eighth after their upset win over Geelong, two premiership points above a chasing pack of Essendon, the Tigers, St Kilda and Fremantle that are separated only by percentage.
While not quite a virtual elimination final, the round 22-opener at Marvel Stadium will go a long way to determining the top-eight hopes of both clubs.
Cameron, who has been forced to omit suspended star Toby Greene amid six changes, is embracing the finals-like aspect of the 2019 grand final rematch.
"It's a huge game on Friday night," Cameron said.
"Basically a first final for us.
"The Tigers were incredibly impressive last week and we know they're going to bring their best.
"We're looking forward to the challenge."
Stars Josh Kelly, Jacob Hopper, Shane Mumford and Jesse Hogan are among six inclusions for the Giants, while Greene's one-match ban was upheld by the league's appeals board on Thursday.
Captain Stephen Coniglio will return, from a toe injury that has bothered him throughout most of the season, via the VFL.
Ball magnet Hopper and former skipper Phil Davis both passed their requisite concussion protocols, but the latter was left on the sidelines as Cameron made several big calls at the selection table.
"We considered bringing Phil Davis back in, but were really impressed with our back seven last week and wanted to go in unchanged in that area of the ground," Cameron said.
"It's been a tough week at the selection table, coming off a really special win."
Richmond, seeking to record consecutive wins for the first time since round 12, named an unchanged side after their 33-point victory over North Melbourne.
