AFL round 24: Carlton v GWS Giants, Adam Kingsley on finals, Toby Greene

Adam Kingsley has sounded a warning to Carlton — and GWS’ finals rivals — after a surprise sub left Toby Greene primed to lead the club’s push for September action.

The Giants have had plenty to celebrate in the past three months but a loss on Sunday could still end their season. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Giants might have a few different paths to secure their top-eight finish but Adam Kingsley’s men are solely focused on winning their way into September action.

While GWS has been playing with an elimination final mentality for the best part of three months, a win against Carlton on Sunday will lock in their finals spot.

For most, the Giants have already exceeded expectations in 2023.

But with their destiny in their own hands, Kingsley admits missing out on the top eight would be a dissatisfying way to end their season.

“Yes, there’s a lot riding on this game,” Kingsley said.

“We win and we’re in.

“But the reality is, it’s been like that every week. We’re striving for finals each week, not just the last week of the season.

“It’s one of those things that we can possibly get caught up worrying about everyone else and what they’re looking like and their teams and results. But we’ve got to take care of our own job.

“We’re in this situation where if we lose, we’re most likely to miss and so the season feels disappointing because we haven’t been able to make finals. But if we make it, then who knows?”

If the Giants win on Sunday, Adam Kingsley will be headed to the finals in his first year as a senior coach. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

A Geelong victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday would take the pressure off the Giants knowing their top-eight spot is safe.

However, if results go their way, a win against the Blues could earn them a home game in the first week of the finals.

The last game of the home and away season doesn’t have as much of the line with Carlton’s place already locked up, but the excitement brewing at the Giants has the side ready for a big challenge.

“If the cards fall that way, we will still be playing for something,” Kingsley said.

“It would be great to be able to lock away and know we’re playing finals prior to the game, but we’ve got something to play for.

“We’ll prepare as well as we can and then everything will take care of itself.”

The Giants head into the clash against Carlton with an almost fresh bill of health.

Finn Callaghan didn’t train on Wednesday and is unlikely to be named for Sunday’s match but is closing in on a return.

Xavier O’Halloran is also a chance for his first game in two months following a dislocated thumb.

The Giants had the luxury of subbing skipper Toby Greene early in their demolition of the Bombers. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images

But the biggest boost out of the Giants’ record win over Essendon was that they were able to give captain Toby Greene some extra rest after subbing him out early in the second half.

A fit and firing Greene is a dangerous prospect for Carlton and any other team the Giants could take on in the finals.

“Speaking to him earlier today (Wednesday) during the session, he feels really good,” Kingsley said.

“He probably wasn’t saying that the past month. For him to be a little bit fresher than what he normally otherwise will be, particularly this time of year, I think is a real positive for us.

“Hopefully we see that in his performance on Sunday night.”