GWS are currently preparing for their Opening Round clash with reigning premiers Collingwood on Saturday night at Engie Stadium.
The Giants - who will be looking for retribution following their heartbreaking one-point loss in last year's preliminary final - are almost full-strength heading into season 2024.
However, key duo Harry Perryman and Finn Callaghan will be absent despite narrowly missing out on selection.
Coach Adam Kingsley gave insight into how close both were to face the Pies.
"They were pretty close (to selection)," Kingsley said on Friday.
"But again, they're here for a whole season and not just Opening Round. So the risk outweighed the reward in a marginal call for both of them.
"So we decided to give them an extra week. I'd imagine they'd (return next week)."
Perryman's been battling a hamstring issue whilst Callaghan's shoulder proved to take longer to recover.
However, the pair have resumed full training and will likely take part in Round 1's clash with North Melbourne.
But the injury to the boy from Collingullie-Glenfield Park has opened a vacancy in the Giants' backline, a position that experienced campaigner Nick Haynes is ripe for.
The 2020 All-Australian has fallen out of favour in recent times due to "position availability" but has worked on his craft to become more versatile.
Although Perryman will likely slot straight into the senior side when he's injury-free, Haynes' opportunity was rewarded with hard work, which was expressed by Kingsley.
"I think everyone knows Haynes' character, some of the things he's had to overcome in his career and not being in the team more through position availability than anything else was challenging for him," Kingsley said.
"The kind of person he is is he accepted that, attacked it, got to work on the things he needed to work on. And particularly over the summer he's done that in a variety of positions, forcing his way into the Opening Round team.
"So tremendous effort from him... he's in great shape and looking forward to the season and I'm sure he'll play a really big role for us all year."
The Giants will also welcome debutant Harvey Thomas to the senior side, following an impressive summer.
Taken at Pick 59 in the 2023 National Draft, Thomas is capable of playing across all three lines but will likely feature in the forward line, according to his coach.
"I expect him to do what his role commands and that is put pressure on, tackle, chase, try and create turnovers and given the opportunity finish his work," Kingsley said.
The 18-year-old's first game will come against 2023 premiers Collingwood at Engie Stadium on Saturday at 7:30pm (AEST).
