GWS captain Toby Greene couldn't hide the excitement to play against his former teammate Harry Perryman when speaking to media on Saturday, as his side gears up to rebound from a pre-season shellacking, albeit without crucial star forwards.
Perryman departed the Giants for Collingwood in the 2024 free agency window, with the 129-gamer looking for a change of scenery after eight seasons in orange and charcoal.
The versatile utility is set to be employed as a midfielder in his first match in Collingwood uniform, a position he was occasionally trialled in with GWS. Coincidentally playing against his old side in his Magpies club debut, Perryman is on the radar of GWS and can expect a verbal and physical barrage in his ENGIE Stadium return.
"Oh if he rolls down I'll be (laying into him)," Greene said with a grin.
"I don't know if we'll cross paths too much, but it would be a good opportunity.
"He's a tough competitor, so it'll be a good contest and I'm sure there'll be a few words exchanged if the opportunity arises."
The Giants will be without two of their best forwards this weekend, with Jesse Hogan suffering a broken thumb from an unusual incident that he said made him out like an "idiot", while Jake Stringer will be sidelined for at least the first couple of rounds with a low-grade hamstring strain.
While Greene has the opportunity to lead from the front and hit the scoreboard in their absence, the Giants captain admits the pair is a big loss for the season opener.
"I would rather they were playing, but it's a great opportunity for us... We haven't been great in the practice games, so we're keen to really get going and bring our best showing," Greene said.
"...I don't know if (Hogan) was an idiot, he was just stiff.
"(Adam Kingsley) called me on Monday and I had no idea he'd even hurt his thumb, so it was a bit of a surprise.
"It is what it is, you can't do anything about it now. Hopefully he's back next week."
Stringer's injury is a small bump in the road as GWS' forward line build their connection and chemistry, but Greene said it won't take long for the former Bomber to find his footing.
"He's learning a whole new system, but he's a pretty smart and natural footballer so it won't take him too long," Greene said.
"We got to play a few little practice games together, just in training.
"There hasn't been too much footy yet, but [I'm] hoping for 20 weeks of it."
GWS upended Collingwood's Opening Round aspirations in 2024 and will be aiming for the same result on Sunday, despite their depleted outfit. 19-year-old James Leake will make his debut as GWS look to develop their exciting youth after the off-season departures of Perryman, James Peatling and Isaac Cumming.
"He's such a hard worker and that's probably why everyone was so happy for him. He put himself in a position, he's a really tough kid and can sort of play any position," Greene said.
"It'd be great to see him have a run tomorrow, first game for the club it's a huge day for him and hopefully we get a win for him."
GWS then take on Melbourne in Round 1 where Hogan will likely make a return, before a bye in Round 2 sets up Stringer to chase a club debut in Round 3 against Hawthorn.
