GREATER Western Sydney co-captain Callan Ward has challenged his teammates to provide better support for Josh Kelly – or whoever is being tagged – if the Swans target him.
In-form Melbourne midfielder James Harmes put the clamps on Kelly in round 23, restricting him to a modest 19 disposals and winning 29 possessions of his own.
Excluding Kelly's round 21 game, where he suffered a third-quarter concussion from a Taylor Walker tackle, it was just the second time all year he failed to reach the 20-disposal plateau.
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His rare down day coincided with the Giants losing contested possessions (139-111) and suffering a second straight defeat after winning nine of 10 games before that.
Sydney stopper George Hewett looms as Kelly's likely opponent in Saturday week's elimination final at the SCG, fresh from the Swan's impressive effort on Hawk Tom Mitchell last week.
"It's on all of us," Ward told AFL.com.au of Kelly's performance against the Demons.
"We've spoken about (protecting our players) during the year, but it's something we haven't really done yet as a midfield group.
"It's always hard when you're trying to tag the opposition and all their teammates are bumping into you and helping him out.
"We haven't really got to that stage yet, so it's definitely up to us to help the tagged player out."
Ward was just as concerned with the caning Melbourne inflicted on his side in contested ball, just a week after Sydney also had a double-digit edge over GWS in that category.
The Giants turned their season around in round 11 against Adelaide based on their success in contested possessions, and were No.1 for differential since then until the round 23 spanking.
Ward (17 contested possessions) and Stephen Coniglio (13) were the only two GWS footballers to stand up to the Demons in that area.
"We were very disappointing and were beaten at what I think is our biggest strength – and that's contested ball," Ward said.
"We knew coming into the game it was one versus two in contested footy and I think Melbourne have the players that love to win the contested footy.
"It was probably a range of things (that went wrong), but I think we were just beaten inside and everything else stemmed from there."
The upcoming clash with the Swans will be the second time the two New South Wales clubs will face off in a final, with GWS winning their 2016 qualifying final by 36 points.
The Giants led the match a fortnight ago by as many as 21 points in the third term, but kicked just one goal after half-time compared to Sydney's six to lose by 20.
"I think it will be a great game – they're always pretty high intensity, high pressure, high contested ball against the Sydney Swans," Ward said.
"They've got guys who love that as well; Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, (Dan) Hannebery – all these guys that love contested footy, so it's a brand of footy I just love to watch.
"I can't wait to play against them."
