GWS coach Adam Kingsley has said it's like looking into a mirror when comparing Hawthorn of 2024 to his side from last year.
The Giants in 2023 went on an extraordinary run from Round 15, winning nine in a row to secure seventh spot and a finals showing after a slow opening half to the campaign.
Their stretch was halted in the preliminary final by eventual premiers Collingwood by one solitary point, returning the favour for the close loss in the penultimate week of 2019.
Hawthorn is living a similar dream, turning around a 0-5 start to sit just outside the eight on percentage, and will likely find themselves returning to September action given their upcoming opponents.
"I think it's a really good comparison. They probably started the season similar to us (last year) and they're coming home like we did. They're playing a good brand of footy that challenges everyone," Kingsley said.
"They've been fantastic the last three months, and they've already knocked us off this year.
"They're feeling really good about themselves. I'd like to think we're feeling really good about ourselves too, we've won the last four and played some really good footy. It bodes well for a really good match."
The Hawks got the wood over GWS when the two clubs met earlier in the year, a contest that truly solidified the resurgence of Sam Mitchell's men in Round 13.
As for the Giants, they too are in hot form, winning their past four encounters and eyeing a top-four spot.
However, Sunday's battle will see GWS without some crucial players, including key forward Jake Riccardi, who had an operation on his finger, Josh Kelly (calf) and Stephen Coniglio (shoulder).
Riccardi required surgery on a "dodgy" finger that he was managing for multiple weeks, but given the time of year and the likelihood of a finals berth, GWS pulled the trigger and sent him in for surgery.
โSome are capable (in the ruck) and some aren't. We'll try and pick the player that will suit what we need,โ Kingsley said of selection.
โ(Riccardi) just had a dodgy finger for a couple of weeks actually โ he's been managing it, we decided to get it scanned and it just hasn't come good.
โHe had to have that operated on, unfortunately, so he's probably going to miss a month.โ
It does open the door for Max Gruzewski or more experienced options Callum Brown and Lachie Keeffe to fill the void.
Kelly is likely to return to the senior side next week while a level of uncertainty surrounds Coniglio's availability.
โI'm a little unsure on Cogs. Bit of a strength issue with his shoulder right at this moment, so he's still working on that," Kingsley said.
โThat could be next week โฆ the strength indicators will suggest when he's ready to go.โ
