IF YOU'RE a key forward in the AFL, your dossier is sitting on the bookshelf of Greater Western Sydney co-captain Phil Davis and is more than likely gathering dust.
 
Davis is arguably in career-best form this season despite missing three games with a hamstring strain and is the cornerstone of a Giants defence ranked fifth in the competition.
 
His preparation has no doubt contributed to his performances this year when he's taken on, and beaten, the likes of Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin and Geelong powerhouse Tom Hawkins.
 
The inaugural Giant told AFL.com.au he has always been a big believer in studying his opponents in detail, but ahead of his 87th game against Carlton today the 25-year-old says these days he is leaving his homework on the shelf.
 
"I've got notes and vision for each player that I've ever played on, but I feel like I know what they're going to do now, so I don't have to look at that stuff as much anymore," Davis said.
 
"I think I've just learnt certain styles and I'm pretty comfortable with how I like to play.
 
"I think I'm at a stage now in my career that I've played on most of the key forwards I'm coming up against.
 
"If I play on someone I haven't seen I'll spend a lot more time on it, like when I played on (Josh) Schache from Brisbane in the NAB Challenge this year.
 
"You've got to put your time into guys like that.
 
"I think when you play key position every week is a big challenge.
 
"It's good to freshen up a bit against different opponents, it really tests me and I enjoy that challenge and love a contest.
 
"It's something you've got to thrive on, you have to test yourself against the best and that's what I enjoy doing."
 
Davis has revealed that even when he is preparing for the massive task of shutting down Franklin, Hawkins or any other star forward in the League, his favourite preparation is to keep his mind free of any pressures or expectations surrounding the upcoming match-up.
 
"I must admit I don't think about it until the last minute," he said.
 
"The day before the game I just like to look at how the teams move the ball and that's about it really, then I just try and play.
 
"I find that if I think about it too much you can play the game before you get out there and you can mentally fry yourself a little bit.
 
"I try to keep fresh and distract myself for most of the week and really focus on my game for as long as I can."
 
In his seventh season Davis will no doubt have his name thrown around by All Australian selectors when they meet mid-year, along with others including Swans veteran Heath Grundy, North Melbourne's Robbie Tarrant and Richmond's Alex Rance.
 
Davis said that while he has been happy with his form in 2016, his teammates deserve to take plenty of the credit, especially those surrounding him in the backline.
 
"My one-on-one footy, I think, has always been my strength, but I feel as though it has improved a bit this year," he said.
 
"I'm definitely a bit stronger, but I think I'm just getting into better positions to compete a lot better because everyone around me is really helping out.
 
"I think our midfield has been super this year and whether it's been Joel Patfull, Heath Shaw, Nick Haynes or Adam Kennedy, those types of guys around me, they've just helped out a lot."