Greater Western Sydney are only the "babies" of the AFL, but winger Lachie Whitfield says the Giants need to make winning a habit and start to turn the tables on the clubs that have given them "a couple of thrashings".
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Whitfield also admits the Giants need to start winning at Manuka Oval, where they'll play the Demons in a surprising top-eight clash on Saturday, having not won in the nation's capital since 2012.
But GWS are looking for their fourth straight win against the Demons, which would also give them their only winning record in the competition.
Melbourne is the only side they've beaten more than once, and the Giants will go in as favourites, something Whitfield said brings added pressure and nerves.
It's something they haven't had to worry about in the past, with low expectations on their first three AFL seasons.
"There's been a couple of clubs that have had the wood over us and given us a couple of thrashings and hopefully we can get a bit of payback on a couple of them," Whitfield said. "Last week [we were favourites] and it made me even more nervous to be honest.
"It's a different feeling because we're more often than not the underdogs, which comes with a lot less pressure.
"Coming into last week and this week with a little bit of expectation, it makes you a little bit nervous, but as soon as you're out on the ground it's in the very back of your head.
"We're still the babies of the comp, even though we're trying to shake that tag ... and every game is a serious challenge for us.
"We've talked in team meetings about back-to-back wins and learning how to [make] winning a habit."
GWS have made only one change to play the Demons, bringing in forward Nathan Wilson for Curtly Hampton, while the Demons have brought Chris Dawes and Bernie Vince into their side.
Former Ainslie midfielder Aaron vandenBerg has kept his spot and will play his second AFL game.
Whitfield has started the season in impressive form, racking up 31 disposals in the Giants' win over St Kilda last weekend.
He was one of three young Giants who starred in the midfield, along with Adam Treloar and Dylan Shiel.
The 20-year-old put his form down to working with the much-maligned Tom Scully, who Whitfield said was the most professional player he's trained with.
While the Giants are looking to start a season with two consecutive wins for the first time, which would also be the first time they'd won three in a row as well, they're aware their record in Canberra is also poor.
They had their first ever AFL win at Manuka - against the Gold Coast - in round seven three seasons ago - but they have lost every game in the nation's capital since for a seven-game losing streak.
Whitfield said it's something the Giants are keen to amend.
"It's been a while. We get such great support down in Canberra and haven't really given it back," he said.
"Hopefully for the supporters that continually come out and watch us down in Canberra we can get a win on the board for them, that'd be great."
AFL ROUND TWO
Saturday: GWS Giants v Melbourne Demons at Manuka Oval, 2.10pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
