Leon Cameron believes Friday's scratch match between the GIANTS and Adelaide's second-tier players will unearth a worthy replacement for the injured Jeremy Cameron.
Cameron tweaked his left hamstring in the second quarter of the GIANTS’ 36-point loss to the Crows in Thursday night's qualifying final at Adelaide Oval.
The GIANTS are unsure of the severity of the latest strain, but are bracing for the forward's absence in next week's do-or-die semi-final clash with the winner of Saturday night's Port Adelaide-West Coast elimination final.
"As much as it's disappointing to lose one tonight, there's an opportunity for boys to plead their case tomorrow," the coach said after the loss.
"We really look forward to [the scratch match], and there's no doubt that four or five guys will put up their hands for AFL next week."
The GIANTS forward has struggled with hamstring injuries in the second half of the season and has missed four games with them since round 16.
However, the fresh injury is to his "good" left leg.
"We'll wake up tomorrow and scan it and see where it's at," Leon Cameron said.
"It's disappointing, because the back half of the year with those hamstrings has worried us a little bit.
"Like everything, for most of the year we've had to put up with some injuries and no doubt one or two will pop up from this game."
Cameron said ruckman Shane Mumford was struggling with an ankle injury and almost didn't take to the field in the second half.
"He's battling to get up at times," he said.
"He just keeps finding a way. I thought his second half was better than his first half.
"He's a determined player and he'll be looking forward to playing again next weekend."
Veteran Steve Johnson, who was left out of the qualifying final team after his eight-possession game against Geelong two weeks ago, will play on Friday morning.
Cameron said there was no temptation to rest Johnson from the match despite the fact he continues to struggle with a knee injury that stems back to round three.
"He knows it's coming to an end," the coach said.
"I think his mindset is he just wants to play and prove that he can play at AFL level, and when you have that sort of competitiveness in you … that's what I'm looking forward to seeing tomorrow.
"There's no doubt we'll make a couple of changes and these guys want to put their hands up."
Ryan Griffen will play in what will be his first game since round three, but Cameron said it would be a "big decision" to bring him in for a semi-final on the back of such a long time out.
Tim Taranto, Harry Perryman and Sam Reid are also among those slated to take place in the practice match at West Lakes in Adelaide.
Stephen Coniglio finished Thursday night's game as one of the GIANTS' best, but hobbled through the second half after a "knee on knee" collision with Cameron in the second quarter.
Leon Cameron said he expected his midfielder to recover and factor in next week's semi-final.
