Set to enter the new season without some of their proven runners, GWS are in line to get a glimpse of the club's next wave of young talent that will further power the 'Orange Tsunami'.
The late-season ACL blow to Darcy Jones last September is set to see Adam Kingsley dive into his depth options to uncover the club's next speed machine.
While no line has been put through Jones' playing prospects for 2026, the 21-year-old will continue his rehabilitation for most of the season.
Veteran Josh Kelly is also facing a late-season return, should he get back on the field after requiring hip surgery over the off-season.
Fringe forward Nathan Wardius joins Jones in being sidelined with an ACL injury, and would have been considered to replace the Western Australian after finding strong form in the VFL last year.
The trio of long-term setbacks come as senior stars Jesse Hogan (foot), Toby Greene (glute), Clayton Oliver (calf) and Jake Stringer (calf) nurse ailments of their own ahead of Opening Round.
In a boost for the Giants, 2024 All-Australian squad member Brent Daniels will make his run for the start of the season after a six-game campaign that was succeeded by surgery to aid an ongoing abdominal and groin concern.
Daniels will look to headline the supporting cast to Greene in the front half this year, as young small forwards Harvey Thomas, Harry Rowston and Toby McMullin look to cement their place in the senior side.
There is confidence in the roles Rowston and McMullin can fill after taking the needed steps in their young careers last year, while Josaia Delana showed his value across a trio of appearances in his debut year.
One name touted as a fitting potential replacement for Jones is 2023 first-round pick Phoenix Gothard, who has integrated back into main training after an extended battle with osteitis pubis.
The Giants will take a cautious approach with Gothard, who has managed just the 24 VFL appearances across his pair of seasons in orange.
Gothard's last appearance of 2025 - a Wildcard Round meeting with Richmond's VFL program in August - saw the lively front-half threat kick four goals from 20 disposals.
With Gothard in line to start his third season back in the VFL, the 20-year-old will be given the runway to make his case for a senior call-up by the midway mark of the year.
The Albury product adds to GWS's crop of recent early draft selections who will mount pressure on Kingsley's incumbents.
Gothard's fellow 2023 draftee James Leake, who can slot into a role across all three lines, is in a similar position, while second-year Giants Ollie Hannaford, Harrison Oliver, Jack Ough and Cody Angove will be keen to prove their on the right track.
The Giants' most recent crop of kids have been somewhat limited this summer, as Finn Davis (soreness) and Riley Hamilton (concussion) currently occupy the sidelines.
While no roof will be set on expectations, top pick Oskar Taylor won't be rushed into the frame as a senior selection option, with the speedy half-back to contend with the likes of Oliver, Angove and Leake in the backline pecking order.
Taylor could be utilised further up the field as a wingman, where Ough will make his own case, while Ryan Angwin has earned plenty of plaudits internally as he eyes his first full season at AFL level in 2026.
The Giants will match up with fellow flag hopefuls Collingwood and Sydney for their pair of pre-season bouts before Opening Round arrives, with GWS to commence their campaign proper with a home clash against Hawthorn - the side that ended their 2025 season.
