STEVE Johnson's arrival at Greater Western Sydney and the emergence of Toby Greene as one of the competition's most dangerous small forwards is no coincidence.
Despite the amount of young talent they had on their list, and the impact of veterans Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw and Ryan Griffen, the one thing the Giants lacked was an experienced head inside 50, and Johnson has been the perfect man for the role.
Johnson's presence has helped Greene has transform himself from talented midfielder with some off-field issues, into a serious contender for an All Australian berth.
Greene has booted 37 goals from 19 games and leads the Giants for goal assists, while Johnson has 36 majors, and the pair have formed a strong partnership in their first season together, not that there's any competition between the two.
"No not at all, we haven't even mentioned it," he told AFL.com.au with a laugh.
"We started calling ourselves the Krakouer brothers a bit earlier in the year.
"But I know we haven't got that type of connection just yet."
The three-time premiership Cat has been "happy enough" with his first season in GWS colours, and said he's excited to be a part of such a dynamic forward line alongside Greene, and tall targets Jeremy Cameron (45 goals), Rory Lobb (25) and Jonathon Patton (23).
Johnson has already exceeded last season's goal tally of 30 with two regular season matches remaining, plus finals, and with a good run in September, could crack the 50-goal barrier for the first time since 2011.
But according to the star Giant, figures are just figures.
"I've never been one to set goal targets because some games you might be playing further up the ground, and others you might get a match-up where you think you can go deep and exploit an opponent," he said.
"You just figure out where you think you might be most important and some weeks that's the coach's call, and some weeks they give you the responsibility to play the way you want.
"We've got a number of different players who can kick goals on any given day and who are pushing up their goal assist numbers as well, so I'm just another cog in the team.
"The unpredictability of our forward line this year has been a real strength of ours, and it doesn't matter who kicks the goals or sets them up, as long as we're kicking them."
Some questioned the decision to bring a 32-year-old into the club at the end of last season, but Johnson's debut year at the Giants has been an outstanding success, and the man himself is hopeful that he can have his greatest impact during the club's history-making first ever finals campaign.
"I'd like to think so," he said.
"Hopefully I've been valuable so far, but certainly I'll be forgetting about the 22 rounds that have gone by when the first final comes around, because that's when it's important to try and play your best footy.
"That's the challenge I look forward too and I hope the boys are also looking forward too.
"It doesn't matter who you are, if you're an AFL footballer you want to compete and play to your ability on the biggest stage, and I'm hopefully I'm able to do it at 33."
Giants players have been eager to go to Johnson this year for any advice he can pass on about the game, but although he's yet to speak to the group about finals specifics, when he does, the 2007 Norm Smith medallist said his message will be a simple one.
"You can't increase your expectations personally and think that you have to do something extra special on the day, it's more about the process," he said.
"If you prepare well and your mindset is based around what makes you a hard player to play on, and what makes you play really well, then generally if you get those things done, then the results look after themselves.
"I really enjoy it when the guys come up and ask me about my experiences because it shows they want to learn."
The man who has produced some of his finest displays on the most important day of the year, still has the belief that he can do it all again this year, but Johnson remains unsure if his performances during this year's finals series will have a bearing on his playing future.
Despite his form and the prospect of sustained success at GWS, Johnson remains committed to 2016, and won't let anything steer his focus away from a fourth flag.
"I won't be making a decision based on emotion, whether we bow out in the first week of the finals or make it to the fourth week of the finals," he said.
"I think it's important to have the discussions with Leon (Cameron) and the club as to where they think I'm at playing wise, and list wise, and then for me to weigh up whether I've got the motivation to go through another pre-season and keep going back to the well again.
"I'll make a call when the time is right, but it's certainly not something I'm thinking about at the moment.
"There's much more important things going on at the moment than my future, which is exciting for the club."