Greater Western Sydney aren't getting ahead of themselves after conquering the first of four AFL season-defining challenges, with Lachie Whitfield saying there is plenty to improve on.
GWS have arrested a form slump that threatened to ruin their finals hopes.
The Giants endured a four-match losing streak in May but have since posted four wins on the trot, reclaiming a spot in the top eight with victory over Hawthorn last Saturday.
The expansion club' premiership credentials will now be tested when they face West Coast in Perth on Sunday, host reigning premiers Richmond at Spotless Stadium then tackle Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
"It's a huge month of footy for us, which started against Hawthorn," Whitfield told AAP.
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"We've still got a lot more to do.
"Our last month showed we've got a bit of resilience about us ... and we know we can play that type of free-running footy.
"We've got a lot of areas of our game that are pretty sound at the moment but also a lot we need to improve on, so it's just a matter of putting it all together."
Whitfield has been deployed as a rebounding defender this year, with GWS coach Leon Cameron seeking to fill the void left by Nathan Wilson's off-season departure and Zac Williams' achilles injury.
The 23-year-old has been in magnificent form during the Giants' current winning streak, with one of many highlights being his clutch goal in the last quarter against the Hawks.
It came after the visitors kicked three quick goals and boasted all the momentum, having trimmed the Giants' lead to five points.
"It was a stressful last quarter. We were playing with seven or eight back at one stage," Whitfield said.
"So a lot of organising, a lot of yelling.
"I was probably a bit lucky with the goal, chucked it on the left and prayed for the best.
"It was a hard-fought game. We probably put it up there as almost a finals-like game, both us and the Hawks were in a similar position on the ladder and trying to fight for spots in the finals."
Co-captain Phil Davis was full of praise for Whitfield, describing his fellow defender as an "incredible player" who hasn't received the recognition he deserves.
"His work rate, skills and polish are exceptional and his courage is something that's very much underrated," Davis said.
