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Thursday, December 26, 2024

Refreshed Giants looking to continue momentum in Canberra

Revitalised GWS are set to enter an AFL game unchanged for the first time in four years as pressure eases on coach Leon Cameron.

The Giants (2-5) are coming off a 59-point thumping of Adelaide last week as they prepare to host Geelong at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Saturday.

GWS have long been hard hit by injuries but left the South Australian capital unscathed and with the four points to take some heat off Cameron, who has parked contract talks with the club until the end of the season.

Just five players are on the Giants’ injury list and with the exception of Brent Daniels (foot), all are long-term absences.

But Cameron is pleased his only selection headaches this week will be about who is pressing for a call-up from the VFL.

“It looks we’ll go in unchanged for the first time in about four years, hopefully we’ll have that option,” Cameron said.

“It doesn’t matter who we play in this competition you have to be on your guard.

“You don’t want to be up one week and down the next week just based on results.

“Over four or five years we’ve had a number of injuries.

“Continuity is great and gives match committee a chance to pick on form rather than result of whether players miss through injury.”

Superstar Toby Greene has been a valuable addition during the last fortnight after he missed the first five games of the season through suspension.

But Cameron pointed to other contributors behind the Giants’ resurgence rather than just Greene.

“No doubt people are going to say he was the difference, he had a fantastic first half (against the Crows),” Cameron said.

“He adds a different dimension to our forward line when fully wound up and feels like he’s getting better every game he plays.

“But by no means is he a one-man band.

“Our mids probably played their best game for the year.”

Jesse Hogan, who has been one to struggle with injuries, produced some of his best against Adelaide and the Giants are excited about what he can do if his body holds up.

Lachie Whitfield kicked an equal career-best three goals last week and Cameron indicated the former No.1 draft pick will switch between the wing and up forward against the Cats.

Meanwhile, Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield is expected to return after sitting out two games with bleeding in his calf.

“That’s definitely the plan at this stage,” the 32-year-old told SEN.

“I gave my calf a little tweak against Brisbane (in round four) and then the following week unfortunately I got a knee in the exact same spot and it just started to bleed through my calf.

“I just couldn’t get the power in my game that I need to play well and move efficiently.

“It was one of those things that just took a little longer to get right.”

Dangerfield will be gladly welcomed back by the Cats, who have slipped to 4-3 after losing to Fremantle at their Kardinia Park fortress last Saturday.

The 2016 Brownlow medallist started the season with a scintillating best-on-ground performance against Essendon and was influential in a come-from-behind win against Collingwood in round three.

“I think the older you get, the more you understand the importance holistically of the entire season rather than just looking at the next week,” Dangerfield said.

“Early on in the season you can get into that mentality of just getting to the game and then build from there, but you sort of de-condition yourself.

“Slightly older, hopefully a little bit wiser.”

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