Determined to gatecrash the race to finals, GWS are treating every game like it's a matter of "life or death".
September has come early for the Giants, who have breathed life into their teetering finals campaign with thrilling back-to-back wins over top teams Fremantle and Geelong.
GWS are 11th (8-9) with six home-and-away rounds remaining, kept outside the top-10 on percentage.
The Cats couldn't stop the orange tsunami š#AFLGiantsCats pic.twitter.com/GMIHA6el3m
ā AFL (@AFL) July 11, 2026
St Kilda hold the last wildcard spot also on 32 points, with the Cats in ninth on 36 points.
GWS face a favourable run home after joining Geelong as the only two teams to beat ladder-leaders Fremantle this year, coming up against two top-six clubs - rivals Sydney and Adelaide - across their final six matches.
But midfielder Xavier O'Halloran is taking little out of what ladder positions may suggest, knowing the Giants have struggled with consistency this year.
In the same season the Giants pulled off a record-breaking victory over the reigning premiers Brisbane and snapped Fremantle's 14-game winning streak, they have also dropped premiership points in defeats to Carlton and West Coast.
A clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday is up next.
"Our need is to play our best footy now," O'Halloran said.
"There's not much room for error for us We treat it like it's life or death every week, especially towards the back end of the year when footy matters most.
"We'll be preparing (for Essendon) like we would against any team, assuming they're the best in the competition."
Sunday's clash presents a full-circle moment for O'Halloran, who will play his 100th game after making his AFL debut against the Bombers in 2020.
The 26-year-old was made to wait to reach the milestone after being sidelined for nine weeks with a high-grade ankle syndesmosis injury.
"It was my first time going under for surgery," O'Halloran said.
"And that whole experience of being a little bit far away from all the action in the footy club, I find most challenging.
"I'm a pretty up and about person who likes to be around, trying to have impact with anything and everything."
O'Halloran was just one player part of a lengthy mid-season injury list for the Giants, who were forced to add youngster Phoenix Gothard (shoulder) after the Cats clash.
GWS are hopeful star defender Lachie Whitfield (concussion) will prove fit in time to face Essendon, with Leek Aleer (groin) also a chance to return.
Darcy Jones is at least three weeks away from making his ACL comeback, as well as key forward Max Gruzewski (knee).
Jake Riccardi remains four weeks away with an ankle issue, while question marks remain over defender Jack Buckley and forwards Jesse Hogan and Brent Daniels.
