GREATER Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield will miss an extended period of footy either side of the mid-season bye after undergoing surgery on his broken collarbone.
Whitfield was injured in Saturday's big win over Gold Coast and while the Giants initially hoped the gun utility had only suffered a shoulder 'stinger', scans revealed more significant damage.
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The 24-year-old, who won the club champion award and was named All Australian last season, had surgery on Monday night and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
The collision that left Lachie Whitfield with a broken collarbone. Picture: AFL Photos
A revelation in a move to half-back last season, Whitfield has been just as effective for GWS playing as a high half-forward in 2019, averaging over 28 possessions per game.
Coach Leon Cameron said on Tuesday that Whitfield wanted to return to the field despite being in pain against the Suns but was overruled by medical staff, and that side of his game has been underrated by the footy world.
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"There's been a lot of good commentary about him being a really good player, but I think that commentary has turned into (being about the fact that) he's really tough for his build," he said.
"He's not built like a brick, he's an elite runner and playmaker, but when it's his turn to go he goes as hard as anyone in our footy team.
"Our players really notice that.
"It's disappointing for us to lose him but he'll recover well."
The loss of the team's best two-way runner will be somewhat offset with news that Zac Williams (hamstring) has been cleared to face Adelaide on Saturday night after missing the past two matches.
The Giants' defence will also be bolstered by the return of young tall Sam Taylor (corked thigh), who is likely to be available to take on the Crows.
Cameron said it's disappointing to lose Whitfield but thankfully the Giants have replacements to pick from.
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"No side can go like for like when one of your pure A-graders goes down," Cameron said.
"But in saying that Zac trained all last week and we thought about playing him before we erred on the side of caution.
"He'll take up his customary role on the back flank and Sam has come along well and is ready to put his hand up, and Daniel Lloyd, Jackson Hately, Zac Langdon and a few others have been in good form in the NEAFL too."
Star forward Toby Greene will be one to watch when the Giants' select their 22 on Thursday night, after he finished the big win over the Suns on the bench.
Cameron said Greene has pulled up well after complaining of some soreness behind his knee on Saturday.
"We're confident that he's going to be right to play, but then again I was confident about Lachie on Saturday night," he said.
"All angles put towards him being ready to go."
