Giants star eyeing quick recovery as injuries mountJoanna GuelasAAPMon, 16 February 2026 12:30PM
GWS midfield gun Finn Callaghan is confident he’ll be fit in time for opening round after picking up a minor pre-season injury.
Callaghan won’t feature in the club’s pre-season matches against Collingwood and Sydney as he manages a light hip flexor strain.
The Giants are already counting the costs of last week’s intra-club match simulation, with fellow midfield bull Tom Green (ACL) ruled out for the season.
Callaghan, who didn’t play in last Friday’s simulation, will be on the sidelines until the club’s March 7 clash against Hawthorn.
“It’s a little bit frustrating. I just felt a little bit tight in my hip flexor, and it didn’t settle down there for a few days,” Callaghan told AAP.
“It shouldn’t be too bad. I won’t play any of the practice matches, but I should be back for the opening round.
“I’d love to play the practice games, but priority is to make sure I’m ready to go for the opening round against the Hawks.”
Small forward Toby Bedford was also among the casualties from the intra-club clash, and is set for at least five to six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.
GWS are awaiting scans to determine the rehabilitation timeline for key defender and WA product Sam Taylor, who was substituted out of Saturday’s State of Origin clash due to “hamstring awareness”.
Veteran midfielder Josh Kelly (hip) and forward Darcy Jones (ACL) aren’t expected to appear until the second half of the season at the earliest.
Callaghan said he was “nearly in tears” after Green’s injury, but was buoyed by the skill brought in by star recruit Clayton Oliver.
“It’s great that we have him because, I’m not going to say he plays similar to ‘Greener’, but he can just play his own style,” Callaghan said.
“It would’ve been nice to have everyone together, but that’s not the case.
“It’s nice having Clayton, he’s had a great pre-season and I’m looking forward to seeing him go about his business this year anyway.”
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