GWS No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman might have to keep waiting for his AFL debut, despite six goals last weekend in a VFL practice match.
While the Giants must make three changes because of injury for Sunday’s match against West Coast in Perth, coach Adam Kingsley says they will be conservative with playing Cadman.
Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield are out of action this weekend because of concussion protocols and Harry Perryman has a hamstring injury after their hard-fought win in round one over Adelaide.
“Our forward line functioned pretty well, primarily after quarter-time,” Kingsley said of Sunday’s comeback win.
“‘Cad’ has had a really strong game in the VFL, so he’s continually putting his hand up.
“We’ll have a decision to make at some point, whether that’s this week or beyond.
“We’re in no rush to play him – he’s here for a career, not the first month of the season.”
The hot and humid conditions at Giants Stadium on Sunday meant GWS are having a lighter week ahead of the trip west.
“We’ve doubled our recovery this week … I feel like we’re in a pretty good space,” Kingsley said.
“It certainly was unusual – it was primarily the humidity.
“It almost felt like we were playing in Port Douglas or somewhere like that.
“I’m really confident – the work we’ve done over summer has prepared us well for these sorts of games.”
Kingsley was rapt with the win over the Crows, given their early deficit, the injuries and the tough conditions.
But he said they must build on that against the Eagles, who lost to North Melbourne in round one.
“It certainly builds the belief around the work we’ve done over the summer. We’ll be able to lean on that at times throughout the year … hopefully we’re able to get a few more results on the back of leaning on it,” Kingsley said.
“We’re going to have to travel after the heat, that’s going to challenge us potentially, but it’s really a test of attitude.
“What’s our attitude throughout the week, what’s our attitude flying over there, what’s our attitude during the game?”
GWS have not won their opening two matches of the season since 2018.
