Callan Ward determined to shut down star-studded Swans

They've got a forward line led by All-Australian skipper and five-time Coleman medallist in Lance Franklin, a vaunted engine room controlled by Luke Parker and a relentless backline.

"They’ve got stars all over the field," Ward said.

Stars that stand in the way of Greater Western Sydney's premiership dream. Stars the Giants will have to shut down in their elimination final against the Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

"They’ve got A-plus grade midfielders in [Luke] Parker, [Dan] Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and a few others," Ward continued.

"In the forward line they’ve got Buddy, [Tom] Papley and a few others, and in the back line they’ve got [Dane] Rampe, [Heath] Grundy when he’s playing, and a few other guys.

"It’s not just the backline we have to worry about, but the forward line as well and obviously the midfield."

Who have the Giants got?

The revitalised club has All-Australian Lachie Whitfield - who GWS co-captain Ward believes has been the club's "best player all year" - ready to shut down an all-star forward line from halfback.

Then there could be perhaps the boldest selection of them all in Zac Williams, the 23-year-old gun with just two NEAFL games under his belt since rupturing his Achilles during pre-season training.

He is just one star Giant in line for a return as the club bounces back from a debilitating injury crisis with Brett Deledio, Ryan Griffen, Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Matt de Boer and Aidan Corr all pressing for a recall.

Giants coach Leon Cameron concedes picking too many players returning from injury is flirting with danger but an elimination final means he needs to be bold.

When Cameron sits down to pick his best 22 he will be hoping the squad he chooses can reverse a disappointing finish to the season, which came in the form of losses to finals-bound rivals Sydney and the Melbourne Demons.

Those losses mean little for Ward, who is brimming with confidence despite the Giants staring down the barrel of a sudden death clash with their cross-town rivals.

"We’ve had a pretty good three months on the field to be honest, except our last two weeks which haven’t gone to plan," Ward said.

"We’ve had young guys step up and play different roles for us. That proves if they’re called upon, they can come in and play a role.

"Guys like Zaccy Langdon, Aidan Bonar, Brent Daniels and guys like this, then there’s a few other guys who are having really good years in the midfield like Timmy Taranto and Jacob Hopper.

"It’s given us the opportunity to play some younger guys we wouldn’t have played if we had no injuries. At the same time we’ve got four or five coming back from injuries now so that’s exciting for us.

"Over the last two years we haven’t been in the stage where it’s a knockout final so it’s a little bit different but I don’t think we can think about that too much.

"We just have to go out there and play our best footy, and hopefully that will hold us in good stead to get a win."

Ward believes being backed into a corner where the Giants had no choice but to blood the next generation will pay dividends come Saturday.

It's their biggest game of the year, and Ward knows they're ready.

AFL ELIMINATION FINAL

Saturday: Sydney Swans v GWS Giants at Sydney Cricket Ground, 4.20pm. TV: Live on Channel Seven and Fox Footy.