GWS retain a slim hope star midfielder Josh Kelly will be declared fit for their AFL semi-final against Collingwood.

He faces an uphill battle to recover after tearing the meniscus in his right knee late in the first quarter of GWS’s thumping 49-point elimination final victory over Sydney.

But GWS is willing to give Kelly “every chance” to make a speedy return for the MCG clash on Saturday night.

“In terms of the chance of playing this week it’s probably minor but we’re going to give him every chance,” coach Leon Cameron told SEN.

Cameron initially feared his young star’s season could be over.

But the knee complaint has settled better than expected and given GWS cause to leave the door ajar.

“Knowing Josh, he’s just hell-bent on playing footy, especially in September; he’ll be doing everything possible,” Cameron said.

“If it settles and settles really well and we feel as though he can perform his role … we’ll give him right up to the end of the week.

“If we get to Thursday, Friday, we’ll rule him out and push on if we’re good enough to knock off the Pies.”

Should the seven-day recovery window prove too short and GWS beat the Magpies, Kelly will be back in the selection frame for a preliminary final stoush with Richmond.

“There’s still a good chance that Josh Kelly will be playing again this year,” Cameron said.

Returning veteran Ryan Griffen and last week’s first emergency Aiden Bonar could be thrust into the mix to bolster the Giants’ midfield stocks if Kelly is unavailable.