Giants aiming for week one finals return for Deledio
Greater Western Sydney have not put a line through Brett Deledio's season, but he will not return any earlier than week one of the finals, provided the Giants can book a September berth after another spate of injuries.
But talk of an injury crisis might be premature as the club is likely to regain several star players, including All Australian midfielder Dylan Shiel, for the clash against Adelaide in Canberra on Saturday night.
The Giants are confident Deledio has not damaged a tendon in his calf, which would almost certainly have ended his campaign, but his injury record means they will treat the veteran with extra caution.
While Deledio was one of the Giants' better players early in the year, they have managed to revive their season without the dual All Australian.
"When the tendon's involved, it tends to be a bit longer," Giants coach Leon Cameron said. "Right now it doesn't seem to be the case.
"We're mindful of his history. A normal little calf is a couple of weeks, with Brett, with his history, you add another week.
"It could be the three- to four-week mark. They were waiting this morning for some clarification on tendon damage, but that looks really positive, if we can take anything positive out of it.
"He's probably first week of finals, all going well."
Star forward Toby Greene and young defender Sam Taylor are also in doubt to return before the finals, while Dawson Simpson's season is over.
In Greene's case in particular, it's likely to leave the Giants with a tough call in the first week of September as to whether they back the match-hardened players who got them there or take a risk on a star with a limited preparation.
Greene has played seven of 19 games this season due to foot and hamstring issues, and also had his summer interrupted by a toe injury. At his best, he is the calibre of player who can influence big matches.
"If you look at the entire league, not many get through who's missed most of the pre-season," Cameron said. "Toby's our one.
"It's so hard because the temptation of playing these good quality players – and we've put a lot of work into them while the season is on, it doesn't match up with what you get in the pre-season.
"I'm confident in the next two to three weeks we can put another lot of work into Toby and hopefully we're still around playing so he can step back out and play some good footy for us the rest of the year."
The Giants need a further two wins to guarantee themselves a third straight finals campaign. Their run home is tricky with games against the Crows, Sydney and Melbourne, all of whom are playing for their seasons.
They are likely to be bolstered by the return of midfield duo Shiel and Tim Taranto, veteran Ryan Griffen and utility Sam Reid.
The Giants last week thought Shiel, who hurt his ankle, was "touch and go" to face the Crows, but Cameron said he was now almost a certain starter.
"Clearly on the weekend him not playing helped us with his recovery," Cameron said. "He was better here Monday, Tuesday was pretty good, today is a really good test, but all indications are he will get through and play Saturday night."
Griffen was close to playing against Carlton, but the Giants opted to give him another week of training to be "100 per cent sure".