West Coast were expected to miss the AFL finals after their most recent visit to Spotless Stadium, now they are the AFL's form team, according to Greater Western Sydney young Jacob Hopper.
The Eagles suffered a 21-point loss to GWS in round 22 of the regular season, plunging their premiership hopes into absolute uncertainty.
Melbourne's upset loss to Collingwood in the final round gave West Coast a window into the top eight and they leapt through, defeating ladder-leading Adelaide at home.
Adam Simpson's side backed it up with an elimination-final victory over Port Adelaide that was decided by an after-the-siren goal from Luke Shuey at the end of extra time.
West Coast remain the rankest of outsiders in bookmakers' premiership markets but GWS are wary of the euphoric wave their opposition will ride into Saturday's semi-final at Spotless.
"They're a super side. They're probably the form side of the comp at the minute," Hopper said.
"They had a super win in bizarre circumstances, they'll be riding a real high.
"They've got a lot of players who are coming to the end of their careers ... they were very hungry against Port and they're going to bring the heat again."
One factor that could hamper the Eagles' hopes of progressing to the penultimate week of the season is the travel factor, especially when compounded by the fact they were pushed to extra time by Port.
The Giants have enjoyed an extra two days to recover from their finals opener, a crushing loss to Adelaide.
"Everyone's talking about the travel they're doing but it's finals footy. Everyone gets up for finals," GWS co-captain Callan Ward said.
"They're playing some really good footy. They were terrific the other night. It was a great game to watch.
"I rate them very highly ...they'll turn up and play some really good aggressive footy."
West Coast won their first five clashes with GWS but that streak stopped this year, when the expansion club triumphed in rounds 10 and 22.
"We played some pretty good footy against them a few weeks ago and we played pretty well against them over there," Ward said.
"We match up pretty well against them."
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