Giants don't need babysitter: Steve J

Combative GWS Giants veteran Steve Johnson says he's not as angry as in the past and has no fears about the lack of AFL finals experience of his teammates.

GWS veteran Steve Johnson has no fears about the lack of AFL finals experience of his teammates. (AAP)

Most of his GWS Giants teammates are finals debutants but don't expect even a less-angry Steve Johnson to nurse them through September.

Veteran forward Johnson played finals in nine of his 14 seasons at Geelong, but only five other men on the Giants list have experience of September action.

"I don't think they need to be babied through it," Johnson said on Wednesday.

"They are big boys and I think they are more than capable of playing good footy at this level."

Asked whether lack of finals experience could help or hinder the Giants, Johnson said: "I'm not too sure, only time will tell how we're going to deal with the pressure."

Infamous for his frequent trips to the tribunal in previous years, Johnson appears to have mellowed in 2016 with no disciplinary blemishes against his name.

"I've had a few little slip ups in the past few years," Johnson conceded.

"(Giants' forward) Devon (Smith) actually said to me last week `you've been this far, please don't get suspended now on the eve of the finals."

"But I guess I haven't been as angry as much this year and I'm just enjoying my footy, so hopefully that continues."

Johnson has been a big hit at the Giants, kicking 43 goals, second at the club to Jeremy Cameron (49).

Asked if his record this year had vindicated his decision to keep playing after being released by Geelong after last season, Johnson said: "I hope so, I'm not the one that adjudicates on whether that's right or wrong.

"But I've been happy enough to come up here and hopefully I've played a small role in helping to get where we are now."

He remains undecided about whether to play on for one more year or move into coaching in 2017.

"I think I'll weigh it up at the end of the season. There's more important things to worry about than whether a 33-year-old is going to go on another season," he said.

Another distinguished long-serving small forward, AFL games record-holder Brent Harvey now finds himself in a similar situation to Johnson last year after North Melbourne opted against renewing his contract.

"I wanted to come here because I thought it would help transition into coaching and that was part of the reason why I come here," Johnson said.

"I've been happy about that, but really it's up to what his (Harvey's) motivation is going forward."

While some players and clubs have criticised the bye week before finals, Johnson joked: "At my age I really like the week off."