GWS' pair of recent first-round draftees from the 2022 AFL Draft are set to spend time on the sidelines, with both Phoenix Gothard and James Leake suffering separate setbacks.
According to reports from AFL Media,ย Gothard (glandular fever) and Leake (quad strain) are set to miss the Giants' season opener at the Showgrounds at a minimum.
The pair have had their names struck from selection, with Gothard expected to miss at least a month before being reevaluated, while Leake appears set to return to the frame ahead of GWS' second fixture against North Melbourne on March 16.
Gothard (Murray Bushrangers) and Leake (Tasmania) made their way to Sydney's West via the opening round of last year's national draft, with Gothard, a crafty small forward, selected with Pick 12 following a selection swap with the Crows.
Leake joined his new teammate five picks later after the versatile Tasmanian had his name called out at Pick 17.
Adam Kingsley's rising Giants are set to square off against Sydney (Thursday, February 22 at Tramway Oval) and Gold Coast (Thursday, February 29 at Manuka Oval) before doing battle with Collingwood in the league's inagural Opening Round on Saturday, March 8 at GIANTS Stadium.
