Greater Western Sydney have been dealt another massive blow before Saturday’s AFL preliminary final against Collingwood, with star Lachie Whitfield ruled out after being hospitalised with appendicitis.
Giants coach Leon Cameron confirmed on Wednesday the 25-year-old midfield ace will be sidelined for at least one week.
But Cameron is hopeful Whitfield, who had surgery to have his appendix out on Wednesday morning, will be able to return for the grand final if the Giants beat the Magpies.
It’s the second major setback for GWS in less than 24 hours after Toby Greene was controversially suspended for one match for making unreasonable contact to Brisbane onballer Lachie Neale’s eye region.
The Giants have challenged Greene’s ban with the appeal to be heard on Thursday.
Cameron told reporters Whitfield was hospitalised on Tuesday after complaining of stomach pain.
Cameron said the club’s medical staff thought the issue was unrelated to the knock in the back he copped last Saturday.
“We’re confident it will just be one week,” Cameron told reporters.
“He obviously can’t play this weekend but we’ll be doing everything in our power to win this weekend and give him the opportunity to return if we progress.
“I’m not going to sit here and deny that we’re flat, that he’s not playing and I’m not going to say that he’s happy about this but it is what it is, these things happen.
“His health is more important than any game of footy.
“Can you replace Lachie Whitfield and Toby Greene? No, you don’t have them on your list, they are outstanding players and individuals in their own right.
“But it does provide opportunities to guys who are itching to get out there and play their role.
“This group is very adaptable and we’ve learned to deal with lots of injuries and setbacks in the last two or three years.”
Cameron said among the players in contention to come into the team for Whitfield and possibly Greene – pending the outcome of his appeal – were Isaac Cumming, Lachie Keeffe, Matthew Buntine, Bobby Hill, Tom Sheridan and Zac Langdon.
But he confirmed gun midfielder Stephen Coniglio, who has missed seven matches with a knee injury, wouldn’t be considered for Saturday, but would be a chance if GWS make the grand final.
