Fitness watch for star Giant ahead of huge Lions clash
Anna Harrington |
Greater Western Sydney will hope superstar skipper Toby Greene can recover from injury in time to lead a stuttering attack against reigning premiers Brisbane.
Greene suffered a corked left hip/glute when he copped a knee from Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir in a marking contest late in the first quarter of Saturday night’s 9.12 (66) to 7.8 (50) defeat at Manuka Oval.
He attempted to play on through obvious discomfort but was ultimately substituted for Brent Daniels at half-time.
“Toby just got that cork on the side of his hip,” coach Adam Kingsley said.
“He just couldn’t run. He gutsed it out for another 20 minutes. We pushed him deep, but the reality was we needed to get Brent Daniels into the game and take Toby out.
“So unfortunate, but that’s sometimes how it happens.”
When asked whether Greene would be OK to face the Lions next Saturday, Kingsley couldn’t give a definitive answer.
“I have no idea,” he said.
“He’ll get it treated and see how he trains throughout the week.”
GWS (7-6) remain inside the top eight but have had patchy form and face a stern test against the Lions at the Gabba – especially if their attack doesn’t click.
The Giants kicked just one goal across the second half against Port, and seven for the match in a frustrating defeat.
Jesse Hogan and Jake Riccardi kicked two goals apiece while Aaron Cadman showed flashes.
But GWS generally lacked any real drive or punch heading into attack and struggled to find a spark ahead of the ball.
“We’ve got a bit of work to do with our offence,” Kingsley said.
“We’ve been a little bit inconsistent in that space.
“Some really good games, but some games like tonight where we were a bit slow and error-filled.”
Kingsley was adamant goal kicking wasn’t an issue as the Giants hadn’t generated enough shots full stop.
“Our attack tonight, it was everything,” he said.
“Back half, front-half entry, back-half turnovers, giveaways. You name it – we’ve got to work on it.”
AAP
