GWS dealt huge blow with Josh Kelly ruled out for the club’s clash with Essendon
GWS coach Leon Cameron insists that Josh Kelly isn’t injured but the star midfielder won’t play Round 1. Find out why the Giants are holding him back and when he can be expected to suit up.
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Injury-cursed GWS have been dealt a cruel blow with superstar midfielder Josh Kelly ruled out of the round one blockbuster against Essendon at the Sydney Showground.
Kelly was deliberately kept out of the Giants’ pre-season matches but was expected to lead his side into battle on Sunday afternoon against former teammates Dylan Shiel and Devon Smith, who are now marshalling the Bombers midfield.
Giants coach Leon Cameron insists that Kelly isn’t injured after an off-season where he’s undergone knee and hip surgery, but admitted one of the most sought-after talents in the AFL hasn’t done enough training to start the season.
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The crushing out leaves Stephen Coniglio with an enormous load on his shoulders as the Giants prepare to tackle Smith and Shiel, two men who understand their game as well as anyone.
Cameron said the decision to rest Kelly was a long-term one.
“We never planned to play him in any of the JLT games, we thought about playing him for a half in the intraclub, but he didn’t,” Cameron said.
“In saying that he did about 11 or 12km of good, hard, intense training.
“The decision (was we thought) we needed to give him another week or so of training.
“We know Essendon are going to be really hard to beat, so we want to take in as many fit players, who have had good pre-seasons as possible.”
Cameron predicted Shiel and Smith would be nervous about their homecoming — and has hopes of a 15,000 strong crowd — but refused to bite on Smith’s cutting dig at the Giants’ fan base.
“Will those guys be a bit nervous coming back to their old ground? Probably, but the ball bounces, then it’s on,” he said.
“Our guys just want to play, like every other side that’s had four months of pre-season — they can’t get out there quick enough. They’re sick of running and doing weights.
“If you worry about ex-players too much you sort of take your eye off the ball. Obviously they spent a large period at our footy club. Devon had a big year last year and Dylan will be keen to get off on the front foot this week.
“We’ve got to acknowledge their strengths and what they’re really good at — and there’s a lot of them — but we move on and we look forward to Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto playing a lot more midfield time and getting their opportunity. We’re really confident our mids can stand up to their mids.”
Originally published as GWS dealt huge blow with Josh Kelly ruled out for the club’s clash with Essendon
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