Returning GIANTS backman Nick Haynes believes a pack mentality has helped the AFL's most inexperienced defence hold up in recent weeks.
Haynes is confident he will be cleared to tackle West Coast in Sunday's clash at GIANTS Stadium, having missed the past three rounds because of a hamstring injury.
The intercept marking machine has been one of several key players on the club's injury list this season, with Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio, Phil Davis, Harry Perryman, Matt de Boer, Brent Daniels, Lachie Keeffe and Braydon Preuss all unavailable.
The GIANTS' back line has been particularly depleted.
Jack Buckley, playing out of position and on Jack Riewoldt, starred in his 11th match as GWS suffered a four-point loss to Richmond.
Sam Taylor is serving as a 43-game 'veteran' of the club's back half, while Buckley, Lachie Ash (21 games), Isaac Cumming (19 games) and Connor Idun (11 games) have also seemingly relished extra responsibility during the injury crisis.
"It'll be hard when all the old boys come back and try to take their spots because they've been playing such good footy," Haynes said.
"It all started in the pre-season, when all the backs and everyone came back in good shape. You could tell they were really hungry to push for senior selection.
"The young boys have showed good spirit and fight, they've improved very quickly.
"We're playing with a real pack mentality and that helps individuals improve."
Taylor, who was gone from strength to strength since recovering from the debilitating bacterial infection that ruined his 2020 campaign, tipped "the best is yet to come" from his most inexperienced teammates.
Former captain Callan Ward hasn't been surprised by Taylor, Buckley and Idun's response after being thrown in the deep end by the ninth-placed side.
"They are three of the most competitive guys I know. Not just footy but NFL SuperDraft, table tennis or whatever it might be," Ward said.
"They hate losing. They're close mates and that's really helped us and will hold us in good stead.
"I understand how hard it is to establish yourself, when you start your career and have played 25 games or less.
"To have so many of our back six or seven do that together, it's a big challenge and they've handled it really well."
Haynes was successfully put through his paces on Saturday and, provided he gets through Thursday's training session, will be given the green light to face the Eagles.
"They could have pushed me for last week," the foundation GIANTS said.
