Celebrating his upcoming milestone game is far from Toby Bedford's mind as the popular small forward narrows his focus on helping the Orange Tsunami return to its surging best.

Bedford will play his 50^th AFL game on Sunday against Port Adelaide after joining the GIANTS ahead of the 2023 season following 18 games across three seasons at the Demons.

Known affectionately at the club as ‘Snooze’, Bedford’s team-first mentality has his impending milestone firmly on the back burner as he focuses on helping the GIANTS return to the early-season form which saw them win a record five-straight games to open the season.

“To be honest I don’t think too much of it [50-game milestone], I just want to go out there and play well as I’m solely focused on turning our season around,” he said.

“We haven’t been going as well as we’ve wanted to in the last five games so that’s what I’ve been thinking about, not so much the 50 games.”

After a tough stretch which has seen them lose four of their last five games, Bedford is confident the GIANTS can bounce back in Sunday’s critical clash with the Power at ENGIE Stadium (formerly GIANTS Stadium).

“The last few games that we’ve lost it’s been us shooting ourselves in the foot, so in a way, as bad as it sounds, it’s almost a good thing that’s the case as its easier for us to fix,” he said.

“It's about going back to our system and our roles that we spent all of last year and the summer working on. We are very clear on what we need to do so hopefully it starts to click and this week we can get back to playing that exciting brand of footy we played last year.”

While the selfless pressure forward was keen to shift the focus away from his own 50-game milestone, he did allow himself some time to reflect on his move to the GIANTS 18 months ago.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve loved every moment since I’ve been here,” the 24-year-old said of his trade to the GIANTS.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to come up here and live out my childhood dream and play every week.

“I always dreamt of being an AFL player and so getting the first game under the belt with Melbourne was something pretty special and then making the move up here and being a consistent AFL player is something I’ve loved.

“I’m just trying to build my confidence at AFL level to continue to improve and it's something I’m loving doing at the GIANTS.”

Establishing himself as one of the league’s best pressure players in his short time at the club, Bedford says he feels highly appreciated in his role in Adam Kingsley’s side.

“I feel really valued in the role that I play and the strengths that I bring to the game so I’m starting to feel more and more confident at AFL level,” he said.

“We put a high emphasis on our defensive stuff and so I feel extremely valued and love playing with my teammates each week and so I really try to repay them by being that [high pressure] player.

“I haven’t had the best start to the year with my pressure and defence so I’m working back towards how I was last year in terms of being one of the best defensive forwards in the game. I’m starting to get there so hopefully I can continue to build over the rest of the year.”

The GIANTS will host the Power in an electrifying clash at ENGIE Stadium on Sunday at 4pm.