The odd couple of Harry Himmelberg and Rory Lobb have shared more than domestic duties this month, marshalling GWS's makeshift forward line during the AFL side's rise up the ladder.
Jeremy Cameron's five-game suspension and Jon Patton's season-ending knee injury were both described as hammer blows to the Giants' premiership hopes.
Housemates Himmelberg and Lobb have stepped up superbly in the absence of the key forwards, helping the expansion club defeat flag favourites Richmond and Port Adelaide during a season-defining stretch.
Saturday's clash with St Kilda at Spotless Stadium is the final match that Cameron will miss because of the ban resulting from his hit on Harris Andrews.
Himmelberg and Lobb have combined for eight goals and 20 contested marks during Cameron's absence, but their ability to crash packs and bring the side's small forwards into play has impressed coach Leon Cameron just as much.
"It wasn't a massive shift but there was a little bit more weight on my shoulders I suppose, to be that aerial presence," Himmelberg told AAP.
"It's a little bit of a different role. When Jez and Jon are there, I'm obviously not a focal point.
"I've had to take a taller defender and focus on bringing the ball to ground and getting to more contests.
"It's something I've done at under-18 level as a key forward."
Himmelberg has also been used as a defender and negating forward by GWS, while Lobb was nominally the club's No.1 ruckman following Shane Mumford's retirement.
They've both played as key forwards in the past and already had the sort of rapport that comes from living and working together.
"Game time used to be a good time to get away from him," Himmelberg laughed.
"Being housemates sort of helped I suppose, in making the forward line click with us as the two talls.
"Rory coming back a few weeks early from his fractured back probably saved my arse a little bit too."
Lobb was rushed to hospital with a suspected punctured lung during the Giants' win over Gold Coast in round 12. Follow-up scans revealed a crack in his thoracic spine.
The big man remarkably returned in round 15, well ahead of schedule.
"He's a pretty tough character. It was a little bit scary when he went to hospital, but that can often be precautionary," Himmelberg said.
"The way he did his rehab was superb. Having him back has given everyone a massive boost."
