GWS' forward line pain doubled as coach Adam Kingsley ruled out Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan (foot) for Saturday's crunch clash against Gold Coast.
The Giants sit precariously inside the top eight with the Western Bulldogs nipping at their heels in ninth spot, and can't afford to slip up in the final fortnight of the season.
Hogan joins fellow star forward Jake Stringer on the sidelines, who injured his hamstring. Kingsley said the former Bomber could return next week or the first week of September.
It comes during a period where the Giants are also missing first-choice players such as Josh Kelly and Brent Daniels.
Surprisingly, key defender Jack Buckley is on the verge of featuring against the Suns, pending he gets through an extra training session following the club's main program.
"It's not ideal, but it is what it is. Next man in and they've got to play their role ahead of the ball and challenge their opponent as best they can," Kingsley said.
"He's (Hogan) still got pain in that foot, so we'll continue to manage him and cross our fingers and hope he's right for St Kilda (in round 24)."
Kingsley also addressed the club's links to sacked Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin.
It was reported that the Giants have sounded out Goodwin following his departure from the Demons.
The 2021 premiership coach presents an intriguing prospect for the Giants, given his wife's work in Sydney and the lifting of the soft cap.
"If there's an opportunity to get a premiership coach to our footy club, then we'll explore all avenues to achieve that.
"He's proven. He's been a senior coach for nine years. A long-time assistant (coach) prior to that. Wealth of knowledge. Different system. Successful.
"While in the short term we don't have a role, there's nothing ruling out creating that for someone of that quality."
The Giants will travel north to face the Suns before hosting St Kilda at Engie Stadium in Round 24.
