GREATER Western Sydney's midfield stocks have been further weakened with Ryan Griffen set to miss 8-10 weeks with an ankle injury.
Griffen suffered a syndesmosis of the left ankle during the second quarter of the Giants' 42-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday, and with tough vice-captain Stephen Coniglio (ankle), Brett Deledio (calf), Matt de Boer (hamstring) and Tendai Mzungu (hamstring) also in the rehab room, the loss of Griffen comes as a massive blow for coach Leon Cameron.
The veteran has struggled to find his best form since crossing over from the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2014, and missed multiple games with back and hamstring issues last year.
But the 30-year-old played an important role in shutting down Gold Coast superstar Gary Ablett when he was on the ball in round two, and started last week's game with a similar job on Kangaroo Shaun Higgins before he was forced from the field.
A potential replacement for Griffen would have been the Giants' second pick at last year's NAB AFL draft, and fifth overall, Will Setterfield, but the Academy product suffered the same injury in the NEAFL, and will also be out for 8-10 weeks.
Setterfield starred with 33 possessions and three goals in the reserves last week, his first hit-out since the second game of the JLT Community Series, and had picked up 14 touches and laid five tackles against Sydney University at Blacktown before he was injured.
GWS head of athletic performance David Joyce said the pair of Giants will begin their rehabilitation as soon as possible in a bid to return to the field as soon as they can.
"These are disappointing setbacks for Ryan and Will at this early stage of the season," he said.
"Both players are currently in protective boots and we are mapping out the most appropriate management plans for them over the coming days."
Fellow Academy draftee Harry Perryman, and Matthew Kennedy are the most likely candidates to come in for Griffen against Port Adelaide in Canberra this week, with the pair combining for 67 touches, 17 tackles and two goals in the club's NEAFL loss on Saturday.
In better news for the Giants, co-captain Phil Davis (shoulder) is expected to face the Power despite being crunched by North skipper Jack Ziebell last week.