GREATER Western Sydney star Toby Greene has brushed aside the heavy criticism aimed at his side after last week's shock draw to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
The Giants looked like cruising to an important win when veteran Brett Deledio slotted a set shot early in the last term, but the visitors blew several chances to seal the game and allowed the Saints to boot the last three goals to draw level.
North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey used his media spots on Triple M and Channel Seven to declare that GWS couldn't win a final this year with their current playing style of 'pretty football'.
Other commentators doubted the killer instinct of Leon Cameron's men after they failed to beat the struggling Saints.
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Greene said the doubters are off the mark and pointed out that the Giants' record in games decided by 18 points or less last year, when they lost just two – and two were drawn – showed they knew how to finish games.
"Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I'd have to disagree with those comments," he said.
"We're building a brand and I think you'll see over the next few weeks and months that we'll stand up when it matters.
"We've got some big games coming up, so we'll see where we're at in a few weeks' time.
"Last year we won a lot of close games, so I guess you can't really say we perform poorly in the tight ones.
"Last week we should have put the Saints away, but at the same time they probably played better than us for most of the day and we were lucky to still be in it.
"That game was a poor reflection of us, but I wouldn't say we lack killer instinct."
Saints and Giants players react after round five's stalemate. Picture: AFL Photos
Greene was one of the off-target culprits in the last term when he missed his chance to steady the Giants in the dying minutes, and was left disappointed he couldn't be the one to ice the game.
"You always want to make an impact when it matters and stand up in the big moments, and I'm sure every player is the same," he said.
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With three wins for the opening five rounds the Giants sit third on the ladder ahead of Saturday's clash with Brisbane at Spotless Stadium, and Greene said his side is comfortable with how the season has started.
"The Collingwood win (in round two) was probably better than people thought at the time, given how well they're going at the moment, and Fremantle is another team going better than people might have thought at the start of the year," he said.
"We've got four big games coming up and if we can win them then you'd have to say our season is going pretty well."
