HIGH-PROFILE Greater Western Sydney recruit Brett Deledio has increased his training workload, but remains some time away from making his debut with his new club.
Deledio, who crossed to the Giants from Richmond during last year's NAB AFL Trade Period, is still yet to play a game for GWS thanks to a nagging calf injury, a worrying sign given similar issues ruined his final season with the Tigers.
The 30-year-old is still not back to full training and the club is yet to put a date on his return to the field, but coach Leon Cameron said that Deledio managed a "really good" week on the track this week.
"He did a lot of running on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and did a bit of ball work," the coach said on Friday.
"But he has to train with the group fully for three weeks, and he hasn't done that yet.
"He's done a fair bit with the rehab guys and he's actually chugging along really, really well, but he's at least three or four weeks away."
Deledio has had more than one setback since he initially suffered his first calf injury in February. The Giants remain cautious with his training, and aren’t getting carried away by this week's small step towards a club debut.
"It's really good, especially with guys that have had these repeat injuries," Cameron said.
"We're really rapt that he's feeling better and hopefully it's onwards and upwards, but I'm also realistic, and we're in it for the long haul.
"I've got to make sure he's right to play AFL footy, and not just right to play one week and get injured the next."
The Giants have five more games before their bye in round 13, and if Deledio can get himself right to play some sort of game time in the NEAFL before then, it would be considered a massive win by the club.