SUNDAY'S disappointing loss to Brisbane has been compounded by doubts over the fitness of star Greater Western Sydney midfielders Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio.
The Giants suffered their third defeat from their past four games against the Lions, who not only took the four points for the first time at Giants Stadium but replaced the home side in fourth spot.
Harry Himmelberg and Toby Greene walk from Giants Stadium after the loss. Picture: AFL Photos
Kelly limped from the field in the final quarter and applied an ice pack to his left calf and must be in serious doubt for next week's crunch clash against a resurgent Richmond at the MCG.
Coniglio sent a major scare through the GWS camp when he also limped off for the half-time break, but he managed to play out the match and be his side's best player with a heavily strapped left knee.
Both players will be assessed over the next couple of days, with Zac Langdon (ankle) also spending time on the bench against the Lions.
The Giants could welcome ruckman Shane Mumford (sore) and club champion Lachie Whitfield (collarbone) back for the Tigers clash.
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Whitfield, though, is no certainty after pulling up sore ahead of the Lions clash.
Coach Leon Cameron was realistic with where his side currently sits after the loss to Brisbane.
"We're out of form clearly, we're not going to deny that, but what we've got to do is continue to work hard to find that form," he said.
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"Confidence comes with form and to get confidence you've got to do the little things well, and right now we're not doing the little things well.
"It is disappointing because we knew we were coming up against a red-hot side in the Lions, they're clearly a top four team, but we didn't give ourselves a chance because of our poor decisions and willingness to back ourselves in.
"Their thirst to play harder (than us) was there, and they won big, crucial moments and cashed in.
"We brought this on ourselves and we're going to have to dig our way out of it."
Zac Langdon is tackled during the loss to the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos
After the Richmond game, the Giants face Collingwood (home), Port Adelaide (away) and Sydney (home) in what is looming as a crucial month of footy.
Cameron said he has confidence that his leaders can show the way and help turn the Giants' fortunes around.
"I think our leaders are learning every day," he said.
"We will put up our hands, and I will put up my hand and say we got this right or we got this wrong, and that's the good thing about our young leaders.
"If you don't learn from these experiences you're not moving forward, and we have too.
"If we don't, our leaders and emerging leaders are not going to get better from it."
