The Giants, who are third on the AFL ladder after six consecutive wins and look certain to play in their first finals campaign, have now beaten three other members of the top eight after Sunday's win over the Western Bulldogs, also having defeated Geelong and Hawthorn.

Ward identified the increased experience among the core group of young players as an important factor in the improvement, but said GWS' contested numbers were critical.

"I think the main one is probably contested footy," Ward told SEN. "I think we were in the bottom four last year for contested footy, and now we're in the top two with the Bulldogs, so that's probably the biggest thing." The Giants' skipper is himself in the top 10 in the AFL for contested possession averages.

Ward said he wasn't surprised at how GWS were playing, and said the Giants were in even better form than last season, when they were 6-2 before falling away in the second half of the year.

"I'm not surprised. At this stage last year we were also going along really well, then it all crumbled for us, so hopefully we don't do that this year," he said. "But it's been a huge improvement from last year. We're playing a lot better footy than at this time last year. I think the boys are just getting used to playing with each other more and more.

"I think that when guys start to play 50-60 games they just get more confident, and we've got a lot of guys in that bracket now."

Ward praised the performances of veteran pair Heath Shaw and former Geelong premiership player Steve Johnson for their part in the start to 2016.

"Heath Shaw had a terrific year last year and has really stepped it up again this year, which is great. And Steve obviously is great to play with. He's kicking some beautiful goals and on field he's a terrific leader as well.

"He says his body is feeling really good. It's the best he's felt in a long time. He had a terrific pre-season and he's playing some really good footy, and not only that, he's also helping the younger guys as well , he's probably the best I've seen one-on-one in coaching."

Ward said that with only a six-day break before the Giants' next game away to Adelaide, the team would have only a light week on the training track. He said the next three weeks, over which GWS play the Crows, Geelong and Sydney, would be a great test of their finals legitimacy.

"The next three weeks are huge for us, so if we can win all of those, or if not all then two of them, then we'll be in a good spot for September, but let's just think about this week first," he said.