Young gun Finn Callaghan and reliable defender Harry Perryman will both miss the GIANTS’ Opening Round clash against Collingwood on Saturday.

The duo – who are both regulars in Adam Kingsley’s best 23 – have done all they can to prove their fitness, but the club has opted for a cautious approach in their return from shoulder and hamstring injuries respectively.

The pair missed both of the club’s pre-season matches and will this week return to full training as they increase their training loads in preparation to return to the side for the round one match against the Kangaroos on Saturday, March 16.

Speedy forward Darcy Jones has been dealt a minor setback off the back of an impressive pre-season campaign, with the 19-year-old missing last week’s AAMI Community Series match due to tonsilitis and knee soreness. He will ramp up his training this week and is expected to be available for selection in one to two weeks.

Isaac Cumming and James Leake continue to manage their recovery from respective quad injuries while Nathan Wardius is being managed with shin splints.

Fellow draftee Phoenix Gothard continues to be guided by the GIANTS medical staff following his diagnosis of Glandular Fever in early February.

Meanwhile, Braydon Preuss (back) and Adam Kennedy (knee) remain on the club's long-term injury list.

GIANTS Head of Medical James Rahme said:

“Firstly, it was really pleasing to get through our pre-season matches against the Swans and the Suns unscathed and enter opening round with no new injuries,” he said.

“We’ve opted for a cautious approach to not make Finn and Harry available. They’ve pushed really hard and are presenting well but given the longevity of the season and their past injuries, we’ve opted to give them an extra week on the track and expect them to return next week.

“Darcy has done a mountain of work in his rehabilitation from his ACL injury in April last year and we look forward to seeing him put his hand up for selection in the next couple of weeks as he returns to full training following tonsilitis and some knee soreness.

“Issac is continuing his rehabilitation from his quad injury, but he is tracking well.

“And then we have a few of our younger guys on longer recovery times, with James and his quad and Nathan and his shins. These boys are so early in on their careers, so we really want to make sure we manage them appropriately and build them a base for a healthy season moving forward.”

The GIANTS will open their 2024 campaign with a mouth-watering Opening Round clash with Collingwood on Saturday, March 9. Reserved seats are sold out, with a limited amount of standing room tickets available.

Injury List – March 5