GREATER Western Sydney looks likely to be without three key players in next Saturday's crunch game against North Melbourne after a barrage of injuries at the MCG on Sunday.
Influential ruckman Shane Mumford, who rolled an ankle, is the only player injured against Collingwood who is likely to recover in time to face the Kangaroos, with Joel Patfull (ribs), Phil Davis (ankle) and Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) all in serious doubt.
Patfull was taken to hospital during Sunday's 42-point loss after teammate Matt Buntine ran back with the flight and cannoned into him in a marking contest during the third quarter.
Coach Leon Cameron said it was too early to diagnose the injuries but the short-term outlook was bleak with GWS preparing to face the Kangaroos at Spotless Stadium off a six-day break.
"Joel has been hit in the ribs … it was a pretty nasty knock, it was up pretty high," Cameron said post-match.
"Phil Davis is definitively unknown, it's his ankle but we don't know how bad it is.
"Coniglio, hopefully it's not his AC joint, but his shoulder is a bit of a concern.
"Mumford might be OK, but until we find out more tomorrow I'd be just guessing."
WATCH: Leon Cameron's full post-match media conference
Davis was walking around post-match in a moon boot, while Mumford had ice applied to his left ankle.
Cameron was hopeful the Giants' list was deep and resilient enough to cope with the injuries after a clean run to start the season.
Key defender Aidan Corr (eight games in 2015) and versatile tall Caleb Marchbank, who is yet to debut, were among the Giants reserves' best players in the NEAFL on Sunday.
"We've got some really good young kids who have been playing some good footy in the NEAFL and screaming out for an opportunity," Cameron said.
"No doubt some of those guys will play next week because of the injuries we sustained.
"Our boys have to pick themselves up and be ready to go in six days' time. It's a brutal competition, it goes from week to week, and you can't be up for three and take two or three weeks off."
Cameron said injuries were not the reason his team lost on Sunday, citing Collingwood's advantage in contested possessions (156-125) and his team's inaccuracy in front of goal.
He said he was pleased with his players' ability to fight on in the fourth quarter when the team was down to 18 fit players.
"We could have rolled over and in the end it could have been a 10 or 12-goal loss," he said.
"I know they got us by eight goals, but for our guys to rally and kick three goals and limit the damage a little bit with limited numbers on the bench, I was pleased they hung in there."
