The Giants have had a sterling year to finish fourth and sit two wins away from a grand final in just their fifth season in the AFL.

It is a remarkable achievement and a far cry from their early days in the league when they collected two wooden spoons (2012-13), before finishing 16th and 11th respectively from 2014-15.

Once considered the Swans’ little brother, the Giants are now a genuine threat to the city’s glamour club as evidenced in their convincing 105-63 round 12 win over Sydney earlier this season.

Longmire said he had a lot of respect for Greater Western Sydney and their rise in the AFL and expected a tough test next Saturday.  

“If you look at their team, they have seven players who have played over 150 games, three premiership players, so it is definitely a top four team and a team that deserves to be there,” he said.

“We understand that we have a broader role in NSW footy and in Sydney as well and both understand the challenges the code has had up here for a long time, and we also understand the excitement for the code at the moment is absolutely fantastic.

“We knew the Giants were coming at 100  miles an hour and we have been able to see their development up close and seen their younger players come through the reserves and the seniors, and they have now recruited players from other clubs with a lot of experience and (have seen) the difference that has made.

“It hasn’t come any sooner than I expected.”

Giants co-captain Callan Ward said the club worked hard to stay focused on its objective to become an AFL Premiership force which at times proved difficult when they were getting annihilated by 100 points most weeks.

“It was kind of hard to know and back then we were getting smashed by 100 points plenty of times, so it was hard to know when we would actually challenge for the finals,” he said.

“But we continued to improve and all our players are extremely hard now and we love playing contested football.

“It has been a long journey but one that has been on an upward trend.”

Giants coach Leon Cameron said the time had come for his young players to step up and perform in the club’s debut finals series.

“Obviously some players are going into the unknown but we have got to roll out sometime,” he said.

“Kids have got to learn to play at this level, whether it be big games throughout the home and away season or a final which is obviously massive.

“Time is only going to tell and we will find out at five or six o’clock next Saturday afternoon.”