Injury puts a line through remainder of Giant’s home and away campaign

GWs forward Jake Riccardi is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 home and away season after requiring surgery on a dislocated finger.

The club confirmed the blow while announcing their squad for Sunday's clash with Hawthorn in Canberra, with Riccardi the sole omission from Adam Kingsley's side that defeated Melbourne last week.

Max Gruzewski, Conor Stone, Lachlan Keeffe and Ryan Angwin have all come into the extended side for Round 21, with Gruzewski a likely replacement for Riccardi while Keeffe's experience could also be called on in the front half. 

Either replacement option will be in line for an extended opportunity in the senior side, with Riccardi unlikely to return to the field before finals.

Following consultation with the specialists, it was determined that Riccardi would go under the knife, with the 24-year-old potentially available should the Giants reach September.

The Giants currently sit in fifth on the ladder, just four points ahead of the finals drop-off, with matches to come against the Hawks, Lions, Docker and Bulldogs.

GWS could have Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) and Josh Kelly (calf) back in the next two weeks, while defender Isaac Cumming has already been ruled out of the remaining round of the season with a calf injury of his own.

The Giants host Hawthorn at Manuka Oval on Sunday at 1:10pm (AEST).