Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
GWS’ wildcard hopes have received a massive boost, with captain Toby Greene confirmed to return for their crunch AFL clash against Gold Coast.
The Giants (9-11) are sitting 12th on the ladder and need to win Sunday’s match at Manuka Oval in Canberra to keep themselves in the hunt for a post-season berth.
After securing a gritty 12-point victory against Port Adelaide last round, GWS sit just four points behind 10th-placed Carlton.
They’ll now have every reason to believe they can snatch a wildcard spot as their inspirational superstar Greene will help steer the ship for the first time since sustaining a quad injury in round 19.
“He got through the session, so he’ll play,” coach Adam Kingsley said on Friday.
“His quad is fully recovered now … He’s good to go.
“Particularly if the conditions are like their forecast, which could be a little wet. He’s a terrific wet weather player for us ahead of the ball and is incredibly important as we know.”
Greene, who is off-contract, is desperate to secure an elusive first premiership with GWS, having debuted during their inaugural season in 2012.
But along with the return of their skipper, the Giants hope they can continue their momentum in the nation’s capital after claiming a shock 21-point win over premiership favourites Fremantle last time out there in round 17.
The men in orange will continue to be without forward Darcy Jones though, after it was announced he wouldn’t play again this season because of an ACL injury sustained last year.
Jones had returned to full training, and hoped to appear once this campaign, but the coach opted to err on the side of caution.
“He was a bit relieved. He was still a bit up and down. He’s had a couple of hiccups of late, which haven’t helped,” Kingsley said.
“We just feel like the lead-in for him is not going to be long enough to give him a great chance to then come back into the AFL team and perform.”
The club have also been in the headlines this week following reports that forward Jake Stringer has had his relationship strained with teammates following a failed business venture.
But Kingsley rushed to shoot down the rumours.
“To me (the issues), don’t appear obvious,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s impacted our locker room at all. So that’s what’s reported, but I don’t see it.”
