GREATER Western Sydney can't be considered premiership chances just yet, with its next month of footy expected to test the Giants' credentials.
This was the view of coach Leon Cameron after his side destroyed Gold Coast by a club-record 91 points at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night.
The Giants dominated from the opening bounce and only poor finishing in front of goal kept the margin in double figures, but Cameron didn't give himself much time to enjoy the victory.
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GWS faces the Western Bulldogs at home next week, followed by games against Adelaide and Geelong on the road, before they face the Swans in the second Sydney Derby of the season at Spotless Stadium.
Cameron said the results of the next four games would give a fair indication of where his side sits in the premiership conversation.
"It's going to test us all," he said.
"Internally we're going to find out about our footy club in the next four weeks and we're playing some good footy, we can't deny that, but we're still a fair way away.
"Until you consistently rock up against the likes of the Kangaroos, the Swans, the Hawks, the Cats week after week it's very hard to judge us, but we're in a very good position and this month is probably going to tell how far we can go.
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"We're not going to jump any further than the (Western) Bulldogs, they're contested ball machines.
"It's going to be a huge challenge for us next week even though that's a part of our game we've seriously improved, and we're really proud of that.
"But they've done it for the past 18 months and they've got a huge appetite for pressure and winning the hard footy."
Cameron's team is flying but his headaches at the selection table won't get any better after debutant Jacob Hopper starred in his first outing against the Suns.
The 19-year-old gathered 31 possessions – a game-high 17 of them contested – and showed off his prowess in close with nine clearances, including six at centre bounces when at times he found himself matched up on Gold Coast champion Gary Ablett.
TALKING POINTS: Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast
"He likes to get in and get his hands dirty," Cameron said.
"He loves to tackle and he loves to win contested ball and that's all you can ask from a young kid like that.
"He's had to earn his stripes in the NEAFL and some of these guys will continue to earn their stripes because if you want to have a really good footy team, you've got to have a good squad.
"I was really proud of him because he played a great game, you can't get away from that, and it's just good for him and his family."
Key defender Tim Mohr made a successful return 665 days after his last AFL match and was fantastic in keeping Suns forward Tom Lynch to just two goals from seven possessions.
Cameron was full of praise for the key defender, who has battled his way back from two knee reconstructions in two seasons.
"He's been through some tough times in the past 24 months and he's a popular player amongst our group," Cameron said.
"To come through that and contribute the way he did today, it was a big ask on (Tom) Lynch.
"It's a good side of footy because there's a lot of downs in footy, so it was good to see his mum and dad see their boy play again.
