GREATER Western Sydney has been a dealt a massive blow, with star forward Jeremy Cameron ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
Cameron tweaked his left hamstring in his club's 36-point loss to Adelaide on Thursday night, and scans have revealed the Giants' five-time leading goalkicker has tendon damage.
The 24-year-old missed four games late in the season because of an issue with his right hamstring, and his absence robs the GWS forward line of its most athletic and versatile star.
Giants co-captain Callan Ward said on Monday that Cameron has taken the news as well as can be expected.
"He's been up and about, I think he knows the importance of him being positive around the group," he said.
"The last thing the boys want to see is a guy walking around with his head between his legs, so I think he's being really positive.
"It's a tough situation for him being told his season is done, especially at this time of the year, but he's been really good."
The Giants had a light training run on Monday without Cameron and Shane Mumford, with fellow stars Steve Johnson, Devon Smith and Ryan Griffen all on light duties.
Johnson and Smith could be recalled to add some bite to the forward half, but both will have to train well at Wednesday's main session to prove they're fit to play after struggling with knee problems this season.
Johnson was dropped last week but played in the Giants' reserves scratch match against the Crows on Friday, while Smith missed the seniors' final the previous night due to injury.
Toby Greene at Giants training on Monday. Picture: AFL Photos
Veteran Ryan Griffen could also be in the mix to play his first AFL game since round three after missing most of the year with two separate ankle injuries.
He also took the field in the reserves hit out and while his selection would be a massive call, Ward wasn't preoccupying himself with Cameron's replacement.
"I don't care who comes in … I've got full belief in them," he said.
"I think every single player on the Giants list (can come in), if it's Stevie it's Stevie, if it's 'Griff' (Ryan Griffen) I'd love to play with him again, so it doesn't really bother me to be honest."
Ward said Griffen had put plenty of hard work into his rehabilitation from his ankle injuries, and if he did come in to face the Eagles it would give the team a boost for their final clash at Spotless Stadium in 2017.
"He's had a lot of setbacks this year and at times he probably though his year was over, but he's just had to fight through and be extremely resilient," he said.
"To get up and play last week was a huge credit to him so if he comes in the boys will be really proud of him."
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