JOSH Kelly and Lachie Whitfield are Greater Western Sydney's two most gifted players.
The past two club best and fairest winners will be crucial to the Giants' chances of beating the Western Bulldogs in Saturday's elimination final at Giants Stadium.
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Big games from Kelly and Whitfield will not only go a long way to helping the Giants keep their season alive; they will enhance the reputation of the All Australian stars.
Josh Kelly will have a big role to play after injury curtailed his 2018 finals series. Picture: AFL Photos
Kelly will have a massive role to play with his ball-carrying ability on the wing, potentially matched up against gun Dog Lachie Hunter.
He averaged 31 possessions in the Giants' three finals in 2017, but was injured early in last year's elimination final against Sydney, and missed the Giants' loss to Collingwood the following week.
Against the Bulldogs, Kelly told AFL.com.au that he's keen to keep building his finals legacy.
"It is big-time important to me," he said.
"I'd hate to look back on my year and know that I haven't performed in those big moments.
"There's no doubt it's a different feeling around the place come finals time.
"You know what you're building towards and what you're a part of.
"It's not easy making the finals, and having been in four in a row you might take it for granted as a team potentially, but we're appreciative and grateful to be here again.
"We feel like we're confident enough to do some damage and be there on that last day."
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Whitfield has followed up his outstanding season as a first-time defender with another quality year, even if it was interrupted by a broken collarbone.
Playing as a high-half forward in 2019, one of the game's best two-way runners has continued to evolve after starting his career as a wingman.
He didn't have his usual influence in the finals series of 2017, but averaged 30 disposals last year, and told AFL.com.au that wants that form to continue, starting against the Bulldogs.
"I'd love to be known as a big-time finals player," he said.
"You play footy to win Grand Finals, and you look at all the biggest names who have played well in finals, and the first one that comes to me is Luke Hodge.
"You look at how consistent he's been in finals.
"I feel good, I feel primed for finals, and it's an exciting time of year."
Kelly could find himself matched up on good friend Marcus Bontempelli at some stage throughout the clash on Saturday, even though GWS tagger Matt de Boer is likely to get the job on the Doggies star.
The Giants vice-captain said he's excited by the prospect of taking on Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley, Hunter and the rest of the visitors' midfield in such a massive game.
I'd love to be known as a big-time finals player - Lachie Whitfield
"He's an outstanding player," Kelly said of Bontempelli.
"He does some pretty freakish things and he's able to impact games with his skill and his ball-hunting ability.
"That's going to have to be a team approach to shut him down, we're just going to have to grind away.
"It's an opportunity for us as a midfield to beat the best, because he's one of the best players in the comp.
"He's a very determined bloke, and will be excited to get out there and be a big-game player for his team."
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