GWS recruit Jake Stringer is expected to miss the opening rounds of the 2025 season following a hamstring injury sustained in a VFL practice match over the weekend.
Stringer has endured an interrupted end to his pre-season, having needed to overcome a bout of illness last week before his first game in Giants colours, albeit at the state league level.
The ex-Bomber and Bulldog didn't suit up for the club's first pre-season game against Sydney due to his illness, which also prevented him from playing in last week's Community Series game against Carlton on Friday.
Due to feature in the opening term of Saturday's VFL practice match against Southport, Stringer came from the track reporting a hamstring concern and would not return as the club took a cautious approach.
The ailment is now expected to sideline the 30-year-old for "at least a couple of weeks", according to 9 News'ย Tom Morris, with Stringer said to be dealing with a low-grade hamstring strain.
The Giants are scheduled to face Collingwood at Engie Stadium on Sunday for their season opener, with a game against Melbourne at the MCG to follow before a Round 2 bye.
The strain could see Stringer miss both the Magpies and Demons clash, with the early week off aiding his plans to make his club debut against Hawthorn on March 29.
Jake Stringer's debut at the @GWSGIANTS will be delayed by at least a couple of weeks.
He suffered a low-grade hamstring strain in a VFL praccy match on Saturday morning.
The Giants face Collingwood & Melbourne before a bye in Round 3.@FootyonNine @9NewsMelb @1116sen
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) March 3, 2025
The Giants also revealed ruckman Kieren Briggs is expected to be fit to face the Magpies after being a late out against the Blues last week. Briggs worked through a lengthy training session on Saturday to keep his name in selection consideration.
GWS are already without Tom Green (calf), Callum Brown (hamstring), Ryan Angwin (ankle) and Josh Fahey (foot) for the start of the season through injury.
Fahey is also needing to serve a four-game suspension, which will likely be covered during his rime in recovery, due to his actions at the club's post-season celebrations.
Joe Fonti, Jake Riccardi, Harvey Thomas and Toby McMullin also need to serve two-game bans to start their 2025 campaigns for their roles in the Giants' controversial post-season celebrations.
GWS' Opening Round clash against Collingwood is scheduled for 3:20pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
