GWS are bracing to be without ruckman Kieren Briggs for their trip north to face Brisbane at the Gabba as the Giants tall looks to manage a shoulder concern.
Briggs was visibly hampered by a hurt shoulder in both of the Giants' wins over Melbourne and Hawthorn in the past fortnight, with the 24-year-old playing through pain to see out both results.
Continuing to deal with the injury in the wake of Sunday's win over the Hawks, Briggs is now in doubt to face the Lions in Saturday's enticing encounter between two of the form teams of the competition.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley confirmed Briggs is unlikely to catch the flight to the Queensland capital on Friday but should miss just one game if he isn't named.
"'Briggsy' is managing some shoulder stuff, so he's probably unlikely this week at this point in time. We'll re-assess tomorrow," Kingsley told media.
"He was a bit sore during the (Hawthorn) game and certainly post-game. Six-day break and travel just makes it a little bit difficult. I don't expect him to get up.
"I think [he misses just one game], it's hard to know. His shoulder has to calm down a little bit. If he doesn't come up tomorrow, which we're not expecting, then it'll probably be one week."
With backup ruckman Braydon Preuss sidelined for the rest of the season with a back issue, forgotten veteran Lachie Keeffe looms as Briggs' likely replacement as a makeshift option at selection.
The 34-year-old is yet to feature at AFL level this year but has helped lead in the ruck in the VFL in recent weeks alongside Academy prospect Logan Smith.
Kingsley has confidence in the versatility Keeffe to go toe-to-toe with Brisbane big man Oscar McInerney on Saturday in what is sure to be a test for the Giants tall.
"I think he will. We've had a few injuries with our ruck stocks. It feels like Keeffey is the next man in," Kingsley said of Keefe's chances for a return.
"He's more than capable. We're pretty comfortable that he can mix it with a really good ruckman in McInerney. It's going to be a big challenge but he's a smart guy, he's been around the AFL for a long time. I'm sure he'll embrace his opportunity and look to play well.
"He's been doing some [ruck] in the VFL. He played some ruck last week at VFL level and did quite well. He's one of these guys who adapts pretty quickly, he's really intelligent and can readjust his game to suit what we need really well.
"I think he's really well prepared to play whatever role we need him to play."
The Giants are set to have Josh Kelly (calf) back after he got through Thursday's matchplay with no issue, while fellow gun midfielder Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) is also a chance to return after featuring in the same session.
The potential double boost will come at a timely period in the Giants' season, with a win over arguably this year's leading premiership threat potentially placing them level on points with ladder leaders Sydney by the cessation of Round 22.
In a bid to collect their 14th win of the campaign, GWS speedster Toby Bedford looks likely to go to dual Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale in the midfield on Saturday.
