HANDED a reality check by high-flying Essendon, Toby Greene says he and his Greater Western Sydney team has a long way to go if it wants to be the last team standing in September.
Shaking off their 20-point defeat to the Bombers last time out, the Giants are rolling up their sleeve to make sure their next clash – a meeting with the Western Bulldogs – ends with the scoreboard on their side.
After starting the season with five straight wins, Adam Kingsley's side has lost three of its past four and is out of the top four.
Kingsley warned his side after the latest defeat it will miss the finals should its form continue to skew, but Greene is confident there will be no need to call crisis meetings any time soon.
"This time last year, we were 3-6 instead of 6-3 so rather be where we are right now," the Giants skipper said on Monday.
"As a collective the last few weeks, we've all been a bit down and that's something we want to rectify.
"We know where we want to get to if you want to contend at the end of the year. We're not quite at that level yet."
Greene will be putting his own nose to the grindstone, admitting his performance hasn't quite reached the heights of last season.
Named the club's standalone captain in 2023, the superstar forward took the competition by storm with a career-high 66 goals across 24 games to lead his side to their first preliminary final in four years.
Greene was named the All-Australian captain, one of the game's highest honours, for his standout season.
With Jesse Hogan (26 goals) in career-best form this year alongside Callum Brown (15) and Jake Riccardi (14), the 30-year-old Greene has so far kicked 11 goals across eight games with an average of 16 disposals per match.
Greene was also made to sit out of their Anzac Day clash against Brisbane after being hit with a one-match ban for a rough conduct charge.
"Certainly been a bit quieter to start the year and there's a lot for myself to work on," Greene said.
"I haven't been as sharp but I wouldn't put it down to anything. Only thing that helps it is training hard and working hard so that's what I'll be doing.
"A lot of boys were flying in the first six weeks and it was really enjoyable to be a part of that.
"The last few weeks has been a little bit disappointing, not being able to help maybe as much as I would or could and contribute to turning those losses around.
"But I'm confident I'm working just as hard and trying to be the best player I can be and contribute in a way that helps the team win. I'm confident it will come."