Callan Ward has heard it all before.
After the GIANTS' gutsy win over Adelaide on Saturday – their ninth from the past 10 games – was soured by more injuries to key players, he knows plenty will write off the premiership chances of his undermanned side.
Not surprisingly, the GIANTS' co-captain doesn't care.
The GIANTS lost Toby Greene (hamstring), Brett Deledio (calf), Sam Taylor (hamstring), Matt de Boer (hamstring) and Dawson Simpson (ankle) from the team that belted Carlton in round 20, before Josh Kelly (concussion), Heath Shaw (knee) and Sam Reid (hamstring) went down against the Crows.
It leaves the GIANTS without a dozen of their best 22 players ahead of Saturday's massive Sydney derby against the Swans, but Ward told AFL.com.au he has absolute confidence in the club's ability to remain in flag contention this year.
"I think the media said we were done when we had four wins and were sitting in 11th after round 10, so we don't buy into what they say," he said.
"We just need to keep our confidence amongst the four walls of the club.
"Every game is massive, it's a funny old season and we just have to keep winning."
While Kelly remains a slight chance to face the Swans at Spotless Stadium despite being knocked out cold by a Taylor Walker tackle in Canberra, the GIANTS will need to find another two replacements for veterans Shaw and Reid.
Ward said the past fortnight
"It's always hard to see hard guys go down," he said.
"Firstly, because you've got to grind it out and it's so hard to dig in and keep going when you've only got one on the bench.
"Secondly you hate seeing your teammates get hurt and miss games in the future.
"It's mixed emotions when you walk in after such a good
Despite his club's crippling injury toll, Ward said Daniel Lloyd and Harry Perryman were ready to return to senior level after dominating the NEAFL in recent weeks, and coach Leon Cameron has more options if needed.
"We've had to find different ways to win over the past few weeks, and it's pleasing to see that our depth has come a long way in the last 12 to 24 months," he said.
"We've had first-year players come in like Zac Langdon, Aiden Bonar