Before last Saturday night, Rory Lobb had only solo rucked once. On that occasion his opponent set a new hit-outs record.

Two years on and Lobb took centre stage in a semi-final as he went up against two experienced ruckman to help the GIANTS to a huge semi-final win over the Eagles.

“I had a point to prove because I’ve only ever solo rucked once before,” Lobb said.

“I ended up having hit-outs to advantage and the record hit-outs (against me) so I had a point to prove.”

It was back in 2015 when a young and raw Lobb lined up against Todd Goldstein in just his third game of senior football and it’s fair to say he was no match for the experienced Kangaroo.

This time, with GIANTS number one ruck Shane Mumford suffering a season-ending foot injury, coach Leon Cameron challenged Lobb by opting not to bring in Dawson Simpson for the key role.

Averaging 8.3 hit-outs across the season as Mumford’s deputy, Lobb stepped up to have 39 hit-outs against the Eagles at Spotless Stadium against Nathan Vardy (33) and Drew Petrie (18).

“I went out there and I backed myself and I knew I could perform,” Lobb said.

“It was obviously a tough opposition with Vardy and Petrie, they played really well against Patrick Ryder the week before, so it was a good battle all day.

“‘Mummy’ just said to back yourself and take front position. He’s had a stellar career and I’ve learnt little things from him across the whole four years I’ve been here so he knew I was ready for it.”

Lobb said it was a completely different experience for him, and one he’ll be hoping to back up against the Tigers this week at the MCG.

"It's totally different when you're first ruck," Lobb told AAP.

"Being around the ball the whole time and getting that connection with the mids, obviously I barely went forward against the Eagles."

There’s been plenty of talk about how outnumbered the GIANTS will be when they head to the home of football to take on the Tigers.

But Lobb has no qualms about facing a wall of noise during Saturday’s preliminary final and backed his side to replicate their form against the Eagles.

“We were all up and about and we’ve just got to look forward to next week and a big, hostile crowd at the MCG,” he said.

“We’ve dealt with hostile crowd throughout our whole career so we’re ready for it and ready for a big challenge.

“They’re playing some really good footy and it should be a good battle.”