Giants injury crisis deepens as superstar faces fitness race for Opening Round

The injury toll in Western Sydney continues to mount, with GWS football boss Jason McCartney confirming midfielder Finn Callaghan has sustained a hip injury.

The concern is set to rule Callaghan out of the next two weeks of pre-season, leaving a tight timeline to get the 22-year-old fully fit for GWS' Opening Round clash against Hawthorn at ENGIE Stadium.

"Callaghan's had a tight hip flexor that he's been managing. He's probably going to miss a couple of weeks we think," McCartney said on SEN.

"We got a scan yesterday and there's something minor there so we're going to have that over the next couple of weeks as well."

It's an untimely setback for the young gun, with Callaghan being one of the biggest breakout stars of 2025. Callaghan never recorded fewer than 21 disposals last year, illustrating his extraordinary growth as he entrenched himself as a key component of the club's midfield.

Callaghan is the latest member of the Giants' engine room to be struck down in a matter of days, with superstar Tom Green suffering a suspected ACL rupture on Friday which could rule him out for the entirety of the 2026 season.

McCartney revealed that Green was in good spirits following the devastating incident, with surgery to come as soon as this week.

"He's in remarkably good spirits. Our medical team assessed at the time and believed it was an ACL injury, unfortunately. He was sent for scans on Friday night and we're waiting for the official response on that," McCartney said.

"He'll see a surgeon over the next couple days and work out when he goes in."

While a partial ACL tear might sound less severe, a complete ACL tear is often considered better in terms of long-term prognosis, particularly for athletes, because it provides a clear, unambiguous treatment path that often leads to a more predictable and stable reconstruction.

That's the case for Green, which McCartney believes is a silver lining in the otherwise devastating blow for the 25-year-old.

"It looks like a clear torn ACL, so there's a bit of positivity around that if you can say so," McCartney said.

"It's a devastating blow but what do you do, you've got to dust yourself off and find a way to go again. We're saddened for Tom, but he'll bounce back better than ever. It just won't be this season, unfortunately."

Additionally, it has been reported that Toby Bedford sustained a hamstring strain the same day, with McCartney confirming the severity of the 25-year-old's setback.

"Bedford in match play on Friday had a hamstring issue. He looks like a five-to-six week [stint on the sidelines]."

GWS were one of the luckless sides coming out of AFL Origin too, with defender Sam Taylor removed from the contest at half-time due to hamstring awareness.

McCartney indicated that the All-Australian defender could be set for a short stint on the sidelines.

"Sam got back yesterday and will get a scan today. The reports from the WA medical team is that there's probably something there on the lower end," McCartney said.

"You saw in the vision during the game, and knowing Sam well, he was at the back of the contest, and we thought that's not quite right."

GWS will take on Collingwood in a 4 x 25-minute quarter scratch match, with no time on, on Friday, February 20.