GREATER Western Sydney has lost a second key midfielder for the season in Stephen Coniglio.
The talented youngster broke his thumb against Adelaide two rounds ago, and doesn't expect to make it back in 2014 after undergoing surgery.
"I think my season is over. I had an operation on Friday night and I think that will be it for the year," Coniglio said.
On Tuesday, the Giants announced 2012 No.1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield would miss the remainder of the year.
He had a shoulder reconstruction on Tuesday and was set to have foot surgery in the next few weeks.
"With every injury, it gives an opportunity to someone else and we look forward to seeing some of our young talent play this week," Giants' coach Leon Cameron said.
He was hoping midfielder Adam Treloar and forward Jonathon Patton would both be fit to face Geelong on Saturday, after the duo missed last weekend's match against Fremantle with groin problems.
Cameron remained bullish despite three successive losses and the prospect of playing a third match of their past four against a top-four team.
"We like playing against Geelong; we feel as though we play a good brand of footy against the Geelong footy club," Cameron said.
Meanwhile, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is also upbeat about the Giants' future.
"I think the Giants are doing a tremendous job – we understand how exciting and potentially scary this team is," McLachlan said at the Giants' training facility on Wednesday.
"I don't think there's ever been a more talented list assembled, so incredibly confident about where that will end up."
Giants chief executive Dave Matthews stressed GWS were still on course to meet their season target.
"We said we'd aim to win four to six (games). We've won four – we'd like to get a couple more," Matthews said.
