GREATER Western Sydney can defy its lack of finals experience and play off in the Grand Final, Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade says.
Eade said the Giants – who Gold Coast hosts at Metricon Stadium on Saturday – have almost a complete list.
And despite the media chatter, Eade said there is no major rivalry between the two expansion clubs and he's happy to see the Giants doing well.
The Giants defeated the Suns by 91 points when they met earlier this season.
"I said at the time they're as good (a team) as we've played," Eade said.
"The only thing is when they get in the finals is the inexperience of not having played finals.
"They've got some players who have, like (Heath) Shaw and (Ryan) Griffen and (Joel) Patfull and (Steve) Johnson and (Shane) Mumford, so they're going to help them.
"They're just about the complete package.
"Possibly tall defenders, if they got some injuries to key spots, might hurt them, but they've got coverage in every other area of the ground.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they're there on the last day."
Gold Coast's already decimated midfield has taken another hit with Jesse Lonergan ruled out of this weekend’s clash with a shoulder injury.
He will need surgery on it post-season, but Eade is hopeful the young Tasmanian can return after a week. Nick Malceski will also miss the match with a knee injury.
Eade said the Giants would be "a good test" for his inexperienced midfield, but one he felt they were up to after the character and mental resilience they'd shown in the past six weeks.
He said the rivalry between the clubs was something played out in the media only.
"I really hope GWS do well,” he said.
"Having being involved with Leon (Cameron) and knowing some of the players and what they've done, I think it's fantastic.
"The way the teams were set up its completely different, there was different rules, they had access to more first-round draft picks and it's great for them.
"From our point of view, there's no rivalry there."
David Swallow (knee) is likely to return through the NEAFL next week, while the chances of Jaeger O'Meara playing in 2016 are decreasing.
O'Meara has missed the past three weeks with knee soreness, and although the West Australian is desperate to get back on the field, if he doesn't play next week, he will likely be put on ice for the rest of the year.
Adam Saad and Aaron Hall, who have both been missing with hamstring injuries, are expected to be available for senior selection next week.