GWS are hopeful veteran Phil Davis has avoided another serious injury setback after hurting his left ankle at training.
Davis went to jump over a teammate during a one-on-one drill on Friday and landed awkwardly, sparking initial fears of a significant setback.
The 32-year-old was assessed by medical staff, who were hopeful the injury wasn’t much more than a rolled ankle.
Davis has been sent for scans to determine the extent of the damage.
“It’s a bit too early but fingers crossed it’s just a rolled ankle,” Giants vice-captain Josh Kelly told reporters.
“You never really know, so we’ll see.”
Davis managed just five senior games last season because of two hamstring tendon injuries – one on each leg – and has been restricted to 26 appearances across the past three years.
The inaugural GWS co-captain was due to line up in a VFL practice match against cross-town rivals Sydney on Sunday but is now likely to sit out.
Davis considered retirement when the most recent hamstring injury required surgery but signed a one-year deal to play into a 14th AFL season in 2023.
“He’s a special part of the group,” Kelly said of the 192-game stalwart.
“He’s been making his way back through the VFL and hopefully he’ll be up for (AFL) selection sooner rather than later.”
Kelly said Davis had been an inspiration to his teammates throughout his injury ordeals.
“His leadership in general and his ability to impact and drag boys along with him has been outstanding right throughout my time at the club,” Kelly said.
“Particularly being one of the most senior players in the group, his impact on the younger boys coming in – like (No.1 draft pick) Aaron Cadman and a few of our younger backs – has been phenomenal.”
GWS host Adelaide at Giants Stadium on Sunday in their first game under new coach Adam Kingsley.
Little is expected of the Giants, who finished 16th with just six wins last year.
“It’s been a fresh start for us and it’s been an exciting pre-season,” Kelly said.
“We’ve got totally new philosophies and new people involved at the footy club and where that takes us, we’ll see.
“We’re playing an exciting brand of football – a brand we really enjoy playing – and hopefully that comes to fruition on the weekend.”
GWS small forward Brent Daniels will return to action against Adelaide in his first game since 2021, having missed all of last year because of a horror run with injury.
