GIANTS forward Brett Deledio is expected to face West Coast in Saturday's semi-final despite missing his side's final training session on Friday morning.
Deledio was a notable absentee when the rest of the GIANTS’ senior squad hit the track at WestConnex Centre, with the 30-year-old dodging the sun to go through some boxing work with fitness staff.
GIANTS coach Leon Cameron told the media on Wednesday that the former Tiger had carried some Achilles soreness into last week's qualifying final loss to Adelaide, and, like a lot of his teammates, had a poor night in the 36-point loss.
For a player who has made just five senior appearances in 2017 thanks to a host of calf problems in both legs, more issues in his lower leg could be seen as a danger sign for the dual All Australian.
But it's not unusual for older players like Deledio, Steve Johnson and Shane Mumford to sit out a session late in the week, and midfielder Dylan Shiel declared the forward a certain starter against the Eagles, and backed him to bounce back to form.
"Those blokes north of 30, they don't like to train too much," he joked.
"Shane and Stevie get to run their own show at times, but no, Brett is in really good condition.
"He's the ultimate professional, has played a lot of footy, and every player no matter who they are go through form slumps.
"He wasn't the only one down last week, there was plenty of others like myself out there, so we're all excited that we get a second chance."
When the Eagles last came to Spotless Stadium in round 22, West Coast coach Adam Simpson sent his No.1 stopper Mark Hutchings to Shiel at the first bounce, and the gifted midfielder didn't have his usual influence in the GIANTS’ 21-point win, despite finishing the night with 21 disposals and a goal.
The tactic might have worked on Shiel, but teammate Josh Kelly was allowed to roam free, and given he gathered 43 touches and booted two goals in a best-on-ground performance, Hutchings might find himself with a different assignment on Saturday.
"I did remind the West Coast players during that game that Josh was getting a fair bit of the ball, and Josh and myself had about 60-plus possessions between us," Shiel said with a laugh.
"But seriously, whether Josh gets the tag or I get it, or there isn't one, we'll be ready for it.
"That's the really good thing about our midfield – we've got a lot of balance around the ball, and a lot of guys that can go through there.
"We're very flexible and all of our midfielders will spend time forward, so I'll be spending time in other positions for sure."
Speculation is rife that Kelly's season-long contract negotiations are all but over. While it seems inevitable that the gun 22-year-old will commit to the GIANTS for a further two years as soon as Monday, Shiel said his fellow on-baller remains unaffected.
"Josh has been in fantastic form and has been able to handle the pressure really well," he said.
"Right now, if you ask him, he couldn't care less about that sort of stuff."
The GIANTS take on West Coast in a Semi-Final at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night at 7:25pm in the club’s final home game of the season with the winner to progress to a Preliminary Final.
