Record: 10-4 (4th)

What's gone right: After just missing out on the finals last year, GWS have well and truly arrived as a force to be reckoned with. They are showing the first real signs of their predicted domination of the competition and the outlook for the other 17 teams over the next few years is not good. There are very few weak links in this now ominous Giants line-up. After 14 rounds, the AFL's newest kids on the block are the highest scoring team in the competition with an average of 109.6 points per game. They have turned Spotless Stadium into a graveyard, having won their five games there by an average of 10 goals. Their devastating scoring power is highlighted by the fact that they are equal leaders for most players with 10 or more goals (eight). Most notably, Steve Johnson has proved beyond doubt that Geelong pushed him out of Simonds Stadium too early. The mercurial forward is averaging 20 touches a game, is the club's equal leading goalkicker (28) and is on track for his biggest haul of goals since 2011. Johnson has formed a damaging partnership with fellow small forward Toby Greene who has also booted 28 majors and is averaging 22 touches. They boast one of the best on-ball brigades in the competition with Shane Mumford, Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward and Tom Scully tormenting their opponents. Josh Kelly and Rory Lobb are having breakout years as are Nathan Wilson and Zac Williams in defence. The latter pair, along with Heath Shaw, Phil Davis (when fit), Joel Patfull and Matt Buntine, have played key roles in ensuring GWS are the fifth-ranked defensive team in the league despite the heavy injury toll they have incurred in that part of the ground. Their wins against Geelong, Hawthorn, the Bulldogs and Sydney confirmed they are the real deal.

What's gone wrong: Playing hardball with Fremantle over Cam McCarthy last trade period may have been a moral victory, but for all intents and purposes it blew up in the club's face with the talented forward refusing to play for the Giants this year and moving back to his native Perth. The key forward trio of Jon Patton, Jeremy Cameron and Lobb have failed to gel properly which would be of some concern for coach Leon Cameron, but if it all comes together at the right time, opposition sides better watch out. Backmen Aidan Corr, Caleb Marchbank, Tim Mohr and Davis have all spent their fair share of time on the sidelines due to injury. A scary thought is that they've been without the brilliant Devon Smith for the past 10 weeks due to a knee injury. They'll be salivating at the prospect of returning him into the senior line-up. Ryan Griffen has also missed a chunk of footy due to a back injury but has been a solid contributor since returning in round 12. They would also like to have their time over again in round 1 because if they had have beaten the Demons, they would be top of the ladder right now.

Standout star: Collingwood fans look away now because Shaw is on track for All-Australian honours. The veteran defender has been in career-best form this year and with each performance, Magpies fans must be shaking their heads wondering how their club let the 30-year-old father-son pick go. Not only does the dashing backman provide invaluable rebound from defensive 50, but he has racked up a mountain of possessions. His ball use is deadly and the leadership he brings to the table is evident in the manner in which he organises the Giants' back six. He is leading the competition for kicks, rebound-50s and running bounces, and is second for marks. He is ranked third at GWS for disposals and second for uncontested possessions. So it's not hard to see why he has played such a huge part in the Giants' success so far this season. Shaw registered a career-high 36 kicks in round 9 against the Western Bulldogs which was the equal-14th highest tally in the history of the game.

Players under the pump: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Adam Tomlinson and Tom Downie might be all contracted until the end of 2017 but the trio cannot get regular game time and will surely attract interest from rival clubs during this year's trade period. Promising young forward James Stewart can't break into the senior team either and, given he is out of contract at the end of the year, might also consider a fresh start elsewhere. Injury-plagued defender Tim Mohr might find it difficult to earn a new contract with the Giants, while a move to Spotless Stadium has failed to lead to more opportunities for former Cats ruckman Dawson Simpson who has Mumford standing in his way.

The run home: GWS have a dream eight-week lead-in to the finals with their biggest tests West Coast at Spotless Stadium – a ground where they have won their last six matches by an average of 63 points – and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Their other six fixtures are against Collingwood, Brisbane (away), Port Adelaide (away), Richmond, Gold Coast (away) and Fremantle, all of whom either won't or aren't expected to make the top eight. Not only will the Giants feature in their maiden finals campaign, but they have a golden opportunity to claim a top-four spot and an all-important double chance which would see them play at least one home final.

Grading: A