GWS coach Adam Kingsley has all but confirmed that run-with player Toby Bedford will be lining up alongside Collingwood star Nick Daicos on Sunday.
Daicos has been superb in his first three seasons in the AFL, and if his pre-season form is anything to go by, he's picking up where he left off in 2024, claiming 38 votes (only second to Patrick Cripps' 45).
Bedford, known for his ability to curb some of the game's best midfielders, has been deployed in similar roles throughout 2024, and Kingsley believes it's "likely" it'll happen again.
"I think that's (Bedford to Daicos) likely," Kingsley said on Friday.
"Nick's probably the best player in the competition. He's an outstanding player, he's a great contributor to the way they want to play. He's super important to them.
"He's certainly one we'll look very close at and Toby is the obvious one to go to him."
Injured forward Callum Brown also trained strongly and has put his hand up for senior selection on Sunday.
In the corresponding matchup last year, Brown slotted five goals in a breakout performance as the Pies had no answer for the athletic Irishman.
Untried youngster James Leake has impressed over the pre-season, with the GWS coach flagging a potential debut on Sunday.
Leake was taken with Pick 17 in the 2023 draft but wasn't sighted last year in the senior side.
In positive news, midfielder Tom Green is on track to return from a calf injury in Round 1 despite initial fears he'd be out for longer.
Green suffered a calf strain in February and looked destined to return after the club's bye (Round 2).
But Kingsley said he's tracking a lot better than predicted.
"It looks more likely that he'll be right next week," Kingsley said.
"Clearly there's a bit of water to go under the bridge between now and then, so he's got a bit of work to do."
Small forward Darcy Jones is also a watch after rolling his ankle at training on Friday.
The speedster is a much-needed commodity in the Giants forward-line outfit, given his pressure and elite decision-making.
Kingsley is already without Jake Stringer (hamstring) and Jesse Hogan (thumb) in the front half, while Jake Riccardi will be absent as he serves a club-imposed suspension.
