GWS went to Geelong on May 27 as rank AFL underdogs and returned a side transformed.
Their seven-point shock win in round 11, in captain Toby Greene's 200th game, is proving the spark for a surge that has put the Giants only a game and percentage outside the top eight.
They have won four of their last five, claiming another major scalp on Sunday when they beat Melbourne by two points despite eight less scoring shots.
Asked what had turned the Giants around, coach Adam Kingsley pointed to the Geelong game.
They were 3-7 and took a three-game losing streak into that match, but set the standard against the Cats that reignited their season.
"I felt the Geelong game was, not the turning point, but it was where we found our level, I thought - around tackle and pressure and all that sort of hard stuff," Kingsley said.
"That was the game that was our best up to that point and that, in my mind, set the standard.
"Whether we've been quite at that level each and every week, we've been thereabouts and that's been the major driver around our performances in the last four or five weeks."
But in his debut season as a senior coach, Kingsley added it was way too early to think about finals yet.
"To be quite frank, we're one game out of the eight," he said.
"We're still a long way away from being a finals team, so we have a lot of work to do before that's even a possibility."
The Geelong and Melbourne wins are among seven GWS games this season decided by two goals or less.
They are 4-3 in those matches and while their form in tight finishes hasn't been perfect, it's been invaluable experience.
"Whenever you're in the game towards the end of the last quarter, it feels like a finals-type game," Kingsley said.
"I'd like to think we've had quite a few finals experiences, without playing any.
"I take a lot of confidence out of those moments. I'm sure that playing in so many close games will hold good value for us."
Next they host Hawthorn on Saturday and while the Hawks are coming off a big loss to Carlton, they upset Brisbane in round 13.
"They're very dangerous - just ask Brisbane. We have to be at our best to get the result," Kingsley said.
"It's going to be a tight game."
GWS will regain Lachie Whitfield from suspension, but Kingsley said Brent Daniels is "touch and go" to return from his hamstring injury.
One player the Hawks will need to negate is GWS star Josh Kelly, whose long bomb from outside 50m won the game against Melbourne.
"I've never seen him kick that far before, so I'm glad he was able to make the distance," Kingsley said of Kelly.
"He's been a fantastic player for us across the course of the year.
"I'm sure when the All-Australian team is discussed, he will be well and truly amongst that discussion."
