The Giants have flown quietly under the radar this season, with one win from four games coming into their must-win clash with Hawthorn.
It’s been a slow start under new coach Adam Kingsley, and David King believes they have underperformed across the first month.
“Yeah of course they are underachieving. There’s no doubt about that,” King told SEN’s The Picks.
“They’re trying to re-gather and regain the tsunami. I’ve seen it fleetingly but not as an absolute staple.
“I don’t think defensively they’ve been anywhere near the level of what they’ve been over the last four to five years.
“Not a lot has changed with personnel really. There’s a couple of midfielders that are gone, but I don’t see their midfield being their issue.
“I’m worried about what I’m seeing defensively. They’re too easy to play against for this calibre of talent.”
The Giants go into Gather Round as favourites to beat the struggling Hawks at Norwood Oval on Sunday.
King doesn’t see Hawthorn causing an upset this weekend.
“It’s very hard to win when you’re this young. Averaging 70 games per player. The Cats are averaging 155. That’s three years versus six years,” he said.
“I’m concerned that they’re going to cop some punishing losses, the Hawks.
“I still think their ability to move the ball is really solid.
“They need their key backs to get the job done and give them stability behind the ball so these kids can play lesser roles.”
GWS moved on from coach Leon Cameron during the 2022 season, with Kingsley winning a lengthy search to replace him.