Canberra gives Giants-Bulldogs rivalry extra spice

One of the AFL's fiercest rivalries will have a few extra dimensions for GWS when they play the Western Bulldogs.

The Giants are coming off a one-point win over Sydney, but have lost their last four against the Dogs.

They will also take a worrying eight-game losing streak at Manuka Oval into Saturday night's clash.

With GWS on a 3-4 record and the Bulldogs at 4-3, it is a pivotal duel for two mid-table teams who are eyeing the top eight.

The match will also feature two of the game's best captains - Giants skipper Toby Greene, who kicked the match-winning goal against the Swans, and Marcus Bontempelli, who is coming off his 200th game.

Their clash during the 2019 elimination final, which earned Greene a fine for serious misconduct, is a key feature of the Giants-Bulldogs folklore.

New GWS coach Adam Kingsley has quickly become aware that a match against the Bulldogs is worth more to his players than four points.

"It's a big game. Obviously they've had some really strong battles ... close, intense games," Kingsley said.

"Outside of the Swans, this is probably the biggest game that our players play."

When Kingsley was asked on Tuesday whether Greene should be considered among the very best players in the AFL, he immediately referenced Bontempelli as well.

"I would think he's thereabouts. We're going to play one this week obviously in Bontempelli," Kingsley said.

"He's in that top echelon of a handful of players who can be considered the best players in the game, for sure."

Asked if they would consider tagging the Bulldogs captain, Kingsley replied: "We'll certainly have attention on him, that's for sure. If you let him run around by himself ... he's going to have an enormous impact.

"We'll try and nullify that as best as we possibly can. We'll certainly be paying him close attention."

Greene is captaining GWS by himself for the first time this year and he has impressed everyone, including his coach.

"To see the way he conducts himself week to week, the help he provides his teammates on and off the field ... his leadership around the group is really strong," Kingsley said.

"He trains in a way that almost forces you to follow him. He certainly leads the way in that sense as well.

"I'm pleasantly surprised that he's that type of character who's a great teammate, a great leader and certainly through actions, as well as words.

"It feels like his impact on the group is enormous."

While the Giants are yet to build consistency, their biggest losing margin is only 21 points.

But for Kingsley winning at Manuka, their second home, is "really important".

"I see possibility within the group. If we play our best, we can beat anyone," Kingsley said.

"It's just a matter of delivering and playing our best against good, quality opposition.

"Obviously we want to get as big a crowd as we can ... if that ground can become bigger and we can re-establish it into our fortress, that's clearly our aim."

Eddie McGuire has made the cheeky suggestion that the Giants should play all their games in Sydney or Canberra, only coming to Melbourne if they make the finals.

"That would be great. I won't argue with that," Kingsley said.