GREATER Western Sydney co-captain Phil Davis missed his side's main training session on Wednesday, but should be fit to face Carlton this week, with injured stars Steve Johnson and Shane Mumford also in the selection frame.
Davis struggled in last week's win over Essendon with a toe problem, while Johnson (foot) and Mumford (ankle) missed the match at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
While Davis was nowhere to be seen at Spotless Stadium as the Giants went through a light session, Johnson and Mumford moved well and showed no signs of injury.
Coach Leon Cameron was confident that Davis would be cleared to take on the Blues on Saturday, with decisions on Johnson, Mumford, as well as defender Adam Kennedy (shoulder) to be made on Thursday in what is sure to be a long selectors meeting.
"Things are looking pretty positive for the both of them, but in saying that, (Shane) Mumford trained for half the session last week and pulled up a bit sore," he said.
"If he (Johnson) pulls up well then he'll come into the team and whoever goes out is going to be unlucky, but it's a good position to be in.
"(Adam) Kennedy also got through which is pleasing, we didn't think he would miss the three weeks.
"We thought he was going to play last week so we're really confident that he's going to get up."
If Davis, Johnson, Mumford and Kennedy are passed fit, Cameron will have some major headaches picking this week’s 22, with several Giants producing some outstanding footy in the reserves.
Veteran Rhys Palmer had 52 possessions, 13 clearances, nine tackles and kicked four goals last week, while Jack Steele (35 and two), Adam Tomlinson (29 and two) and Jake Barrett (35) continue to dominate the lower level.
Academy products Harry Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson have also been extremely impressive in defence and are yet to play senior footy.
Cameron said there were some poor performances last week but he’s not sure mass unforced changes were needed.
“We deal with all players differently because some have got credits in the bank from previous years, and some of these guys played really well the week before against the Swans,” he said.
“It’s a balancing act - you weigh up is it two or three weeks in a row (of poor performances).
“Do they need a spell or is the guy that’s playing underneath them at NEAFL level just playing that well that he’s bashed the door down?
“Maybe we just have to reward some really, really good form like we did last week with Matt Kennedy, and like we did with Jacob Hopper and Sam Reid.
“We’ll continue to look at that every week and that’s never going to change.”
Carlton have a poor record against GWS and have lost the last three games between the two sides, the last two in 2015 by 78, and 81 points respectively.
Cameron was wary of the Blues under Brendan Bolton and said they were not just a different footy team, but also a completely different club under their new coach this season.
“They’re well drilled, they have a great method of moving the footy and defending the opposition,” Cameron said.
“Their spirit at the place is no doubt at an all-time high, and they play for each other.
“One of their favourites in Bryce Gibbs is playing his 200th game too, so there’s no doubt they’re going to be absolutely up for this challenge.”