SOMETIMES a player's qualities become most evident when times are tough.

Daniel Giansiracusa is proving to be just that type of player. His leadership qualities have always received high praise from those inside the Bulldogs' camp and he showed them in full view against Geelong, with a courageous five-goal effort against the tide. 

After the game, he sat slumped against the wall not sure what to say. He was disappointed and, like the rest of his teammates, feeling flat. But he knew that as one of the team's leaders, he had a responsibility to adopt an attitude in the next 48 hours that would have the side prepared for the St Kilda challenge only six days away. "We've got to show a bit, probably like Melbourne did last night," he said.

Giansiracusa showed plenty on Saturday kicking the first two goals of the game, on his way to gathering 23 possessions, seven contested possessions and four centre clearances.

He was the one player coach Rodney Eade acknowledged after the game as having picked up the slack, using his experience to support the younger players.

Giansiracusa will call it how he sees it. He did not think the team worked hard enough for long enough but hopes the young players noted the lessons Geelong provided. "I hope the young guys took a bit out of the game. That is how you have got to work if you want to be right up there in this competition," he said.

Helping young players get better more quickly is what is driving Giansiracusa on as the team fights its way through a change in fortunes. "I love the challenge of AFL footy, so I think that is what drives me. We are going through a rough patch at the moment and that challenge to get back up there and do it with a few different players - because we are doing it with kids - that is why I come to training every day to try to help us improve," he said.

What hurt most on Saturday was the fact the team could not sustain the effort it showed early. Giansiracusa says this habit has been a disappointing feature of the Bulldogs' year so far: "We might have started well and cracked in but we have not been able to maintain it. Today it was the courage to be able to run both ways [that was required] and we didn't do that."

In six of the team's games this season, the Bulldogs have lead at quarter time. They have been in front at the finish only three times.

Giansiracusa's attention is on the team and how it can get better. He is crumbing to youthful marking targets Liam Jones and the out of form [but still only a 30-game player] Jarrad Grant, but he is a good man to be at their feet. 

He has always found his own football and he is prepared to teach, having a focus beyond his own performance. "I try to educate them to work in the right spots. It can be a tough spot to play, forward," said Giansiracusa.

With the run off half-back and the marking targets disappearing, Giansiracusa is playing multiple roles. He is a lead-up forward, an in and under forward and is fighting hard to keep the pressure on the defence.

It's not an easy time but you won't hear any complaints. Just a weary, disappointed, half smile as the interview ends, a small indication that Giansiracusa will not wilt, regardless of what happens for the remainder of the season. "We've just got to keep moving and working hard," he said.