GWS coach Adam Kingsley has revealed star midfielder Tom Green won't play in the Giants' season-defining clash with the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night, as his replacement has been announced.
Green pulled up sore on Friday with an apparent hamstring concern, with Kingsley and the GWS match committee not willing to take any risks with the gun ball-getter.
"We're going to be up without Tom Green, unfortunately, he's come back sporting a slight hamstring, so we're going to miss him, but, [it's] next man in," Kingsley said when addressing the media on Friday morning.
"It happened yesterday morning and he was still a little bit uncomfortable with it and so we decided to scan him, and it came back no good which is unfortunate for us, but another guy comes in and he'll get his opportunity through the midfield.
"We're going to miss him but it's next man in and we'll have a crack and see where it takes us."
While Kingsley did not initially comment on Green's return-to-play timeline, the young midfielder is expected to miss three games after scans revealed a low-grade strain.
Jacob Wehr will take Green's place in Saturday's lineup.
The Giants are faced with a treacherous task, coming up against the Crows, who, while they have had their interstate struggles, have played tremendously at Adelaide Oval this season, boasting a 7-2 record at their home venue.
Eight of the Giants' last ten matchups with the Crows have come at Adelaide Oval, with GWS managing to win just three of those clashes, further highlighting the importance of Saturday's bout.
The Giants and Crows faced off in Round 1 at GIANTS Stadium, with Kingsley claiming a debut coaching victory after GWS overcame a five-goal second-quarter deficit to win by 16 points.
Kingsley and GWS' match committee was forced into three changes at selection on Thursday night, with Lachie Keeffe and Xavier O'Halloran sidelined through injury, while reliable veteran Nick Haynes was suspended for a dangerous tackle. In turn, the Giants will welcome back dangerous forward Brent Daniels and youngster Ryan Angwin.
The Giants will be pleased to see the return of Daniels, who suffered a hamstring injury during GWS' Round 12 loss to Richmond and, while initially only expected to miss a pair of fixtures, has missed all four Giants outings since succumbing to the ailment.
The 10th-placed Giants are well-positioned to make a late-season finals assault, however, this weekend's obstacle has the potential to put a spanner in the works if all does not go according to plan.
Meantime, Matthew Nicks' Crows have included key defender Jordon Butts and high-flying forward Shane McAdam for Saturday's clash, dropping improving midfielders Jake Soligo and Ned McHenry.
GWS' bout with Adelaide is fixtured for 7:40 PM (AEST) this Saturday, July 15.
