AMID all the talk and expectation that this could be the week its losing streak comes to an end, Greater Western Sydney is focused squarely on its blatant Achilles heel – closing out games.
This year the Giants were right in the mix deep in the third quarter against Essendon (twice), Melbourne, Geelong and Collingwood, only to fall away.
Their best chance came against the Western Bulldogs in round 15, when they were in front in the final term before conceding three late goals in an agonising four-point loss.
If GWS is to avoid becoming the first team since Fitzroy in 1964 to go through a season without a win, taking on the 17th-placed Demons at home is surely its best chance, at least on paper.
But the second-year club needs to learn how to conquer its worrying trend.
"We have to learn to overcome it pretty quickly," vice-captain Tom Scully told AFL.com.au.
"It's no good playing three quarters of good footy and being happy with that.
"We're aware of it, we just have to go out there and do it.
"If we're in a position at three-quarter time, we've got to step up to the challenge."
Rather than making excuses, however, based on inexperience or a lack of size and strength, the Giants believe they should be able to finish off games.
They showed last year they could do it, putting in big fourth quarters to steamroll their way past Gold Coast and Port Adelaide.
"We've done it before," Scully said. "So there's no reason why we can't do it again.
"It just comes down to a mindset and purely an appetite for the contest."
Despite the winless run, Scully himself has quietly put together a strong second season as a Giant.
Used in a variety of roles, the 22-year-old is averaging 17.5 disposals, 4.5 marks and four tackles per game, also chipping in with nine goals.
This week he faces Melbourne for the fourth time, a match-up that previously was laced with controversy after his decision to leave the club that selected him first overall in the 2009 draft.
But the spice is fading as Scully makes a name for himself in the Giants' orange and charcoal.
"I've still got some good friends at the (Demons), but their list has changed a lot, coaching personnel has changed a lot, so I don't really have a lot of connection with the club anymore," he said.
"It happened two years ago now, so I think everyone is slowly getting over it and we don't want anything to detract from the game.
"I just need to focus on what I can do for the team, no different to any other week."
While the club is aiming to pick up a win or two before year's end, there is also plenty of interest in possible free agents GWS could add to its young list.
Naturally the players are hopeful some help is on its way, but they're staying focused on the task at hand.
"I imagine we'd be pretty active at the moment looking at guys who are available," Scully said.
"It's pretty evident we need some more experience to balance out the list.
"If Buddy Franklin came it'd be great for us, he's obviously a great player.
"But he's got his own stuff to sort out with Hawthorn.
"Time will tell."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_JD
