The Giants have been faced with adversity this week before a blockbuster Sydney Derby on Saturday, with a star defender out injured and coach Adam Kingsley missing Thursday's main training due to COVID.
Early in the week, it was announced Sam Taylor won't play this weekend due to a shock injury that occurred last weekend against Port Adelaide, with no timeline for his return.
However, assistant coach Ben Hart was hopeful that the injury wouldn't see the All-Australian defender sidelined for too long, noting a rough period for Taylor to overcome.
"I think anywhere from seven to 15 days, but who knows. He's got to get himself right and then get back and train but hopefully it's not too long," Hart said.
The defender had surgery on Tuesday while no official timeline was given, the Giants are hopeful he can return in Round 17 against Carlton.
Swans forward Joel Amartey who had a career-best performance last week, with Sam Taylor the one likely to line up on him but now that he is out, it means either Leek Aleer or Jack Buckley will do the job.
"We'd prefer to have him there. But we also feel we've got the players to cover. (Jack) Buckley's been in good form, Leek Aleer's also come into the side. Last week we were pretty tall down there so we've got the people to cover it," said Hart.
Ben Hart was left to run Thursday's main session and to do media responsibilities due to Kingsley being absent from the club.
However, there was also some good news for GWS, with Hart confirming Lachie Ash will play this weekend if he gets through training on Thursday and Stephen Coniglio is tracking well and has a chance to return this weekend but it's more likely this will be next weekend.
The Giants are prepared this time if James Jordon tags half-back Lachie Whitfield again after Jordon kept Whitfield very quiet in round eight.
"We will have (a plan). But we understand it's not the Whitfield show either. He understands if that happens what should occur and his teammates also need to see that and acknowledge it and help to work that out," Hart said.
This weekend is a huge game for GWS and their season as they host cross-town rivals, in which they will want to get some bragging rights back after their 29-point defeat in round eight.
But this game is also vital if they want to cement a position in the top eight and look towards a top-four finish as we steer closer to the crunch end of the season.
"There's been a change in the last couple weeks I think in the way we've been feeling, the way we've been training, the way we've been playing," said Hart.
"Last week looked a little bit more like the way we want a game to look like. The group are feeling really good and off the back of the win last week we feel like we can attack the second half of the season."
Hart emphasised the Giants' focus this weekend is their contested possession, pressure and goal-kicking.
Saturday afternoon is expected to be a huge match for the second Sydney Derby for 2024 with it likely to sell out at ENGIE Stadium.
