Toby Greene's teammates aren't expecting an apology and have already rallied behind the star forward after he accepted a two-week suspension for striking Western Bulldog Caleb Daniel last week.
The GIANTS chose not to challenge Greene's ban on Tuesday morning, meaning their club champion and All Australian will miss this week's clash with St Kilda, and the club's round eight return to Spotless Stadium against Collingwood.
Defender Adam Kennedy said Greene's standing among the playing group hasn't changed, despite this suspension being the latest in several on-field indiscretions this season.
"He's a valuable member of our team and Toby will address anything he needs too, and we'll move on," he said.
"We absolutely love the way he goes about his footy, he's arguably one of our most important players, he's had a great season and we'll get him back in a couple of weeks and hopefully he'll continue his good form.
"He's a very resilient character and he's been through some tough times, but credit to him he comes back stronger, and that's what he'll do this time around.
"He's just like any other teammate that's going through something, but it's not just Toby, we always get around our teammates no matter what the situation is.
"We're a very close knit club and it's something we pride ourselves on."
The loss of Greene means the GIANTS will need to call on replacements for their equal leading goalkicker, along with gun defender Nick Haynes, who tore a hamstring tendon against the Dogs, and forward Sam Reid, who is also struggling with a hamstring problem.
Co-captain Phil Davis (hamstring) could be available after missing the win over the premiers, with vice-captain Stephen Coniglio (ankle) also a chance to play his first game of the year, with both players training solidly on Tuesday.
Kennedy said Davis would be a welcome inclusion to help counter St Kilda's tall forwards in Nick Riewoldt, Josh Bruce, and Tim Membrey, while Coniglio's return, after almost eight weeks on the sidelines, would add toughness to the midfield.
"He's one of the hardest workers at the club, and I know I'd love to have 'Cogs' (Coniglio) in the team, he's a great leader of our club," he said.
"I know that if he plays, whether it's in the NEAFL or the AFL, he'll play well and do what's required.
"We know we can rely on him no matter what the circumstances are."
Forward Daniel Lloyd and midfielder Harry Perryman will be looked at for a debut against St Kilda, with defender Harry Himmelberg also in the mix should Davis not get up.
The GIANTS take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
