GWS coach Adam Kingsley has explained the club's trio of late changes for their crucial Round 24 clash with the Western Bulldogs on the eve of another finals campaign.
The Giants pulled forward trio Brent Daniels (back), Toby Bedford (calf) and Conor Stone (illness) from their 23-man side to face the Bulldogs in Ballarat in what was a triple blow for the New South Wales club an hour out from the opening bounce.
Nick Haynes, Xavier O'Halloran and Callum Brown were all brought into Kingsley's side, adding to the single selection change from earlier in the week that saw suspended defender Lachie Ash replaced by rookie Harvey Thomas.
Speaking to Fox Footy ahead of his side's final game of the home and away season, Kingsley said none of his three late outs would've been able to play if the match was a finals encounter, noting each of Stone, Daniels and Bedford were dealing with separate issues in the lead-up to their trip to Mars Stadium.
"Stoney was sick all night last night, I don't know what the actual issue is but he's not well enough to play," the GWS coach said.
"Daniels had a sore back, so we were a little bit precautionary with him.
"Then Toby Bedford's calf was a bit tight throughout the week, so we weren't prepared to risk that one either."
The expected minor ailments for star pair Daniels and Bedford could mean the Giants make close to five changes for their first final, with the aforementioned Ash and injured pair Jake Riccardi (finger) and Isaac Cumming (hamstring) expected to be available for September action.
Stone could also come back into the side but will be an outside chance given the number of other Giants players pressing for returns, with the young forward having played just the four games in 2024.
A win over the Western Bulldogs could see the Giants book themselves a home qualifying final to start their next finals berth, with Port Adelaide also in play to secure second spot on the ladder.
A loss would see them likely finish in fourth and face state rivals Sydney at the SCG in the opening week of the finals series.
The AFL is expected to confirm dates, venues and start times for all four finals matches as early as Sunday night.
