Co-captain Phil Davis will miss two to three weeks with a calf injury sustained in the second quarter of the GIANTS’ win over Carlton on Saturday.

The defender played no further part in the game and scans on Sunday night revealed the minor soleus strain.

Fellow defender Matt Buntine hurt his hamstring in the same game as his foot slipped while trying to avoid an oncoming player.

Buntine remained on the bench in the final quarter as a precaution and is expected to miss three weeks, including this week’s bye.

Young draftee Jacob Hopper was rested from all football last weekend and it’s been revealed he has a minor lumbar stress fracture in his back and will be sidelined for six weeks. 

The GIANTS Academy graduate and former number seven draft pick played six games straight after making his debut in round 8 where he picked up 32 touches and the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination. 

GIANTS Head of Athletic Performance David Joyce said: “Jacob had some discomfort in his back and due to the nature of the issue he underwent scans that revealed an incomplete stress injury.

“This is disappointing news as Jacob has made a great start to his AFL career this season but due to his age and the stage of his career, we’ll be taking an aggressively cautious approach.

“We’re pleased that we caught the issue early and we are confident that with conservative management and rehabilitation, he’ll be back playing football later in the season." 

In better news both Adam Kennedy (shoulder) and Devon Smith (knee) successfully returned for the WSU GIANTS in the NEAFL on Saturday.

Kennedy returned and played a full game after sustaining a shoulder injury in a collision late in the GIANTS’ round 10 match against Adelaide. The defender had 24 touches and eight marks in his return. 

Young leader Devon Smith also returned in the NEAFL match, playing the second half in a remarkable comeback from knee surgery last month.

Smith had 17 touches, three shots on goal and showed his trademark chase and pressure in the WSU GIANTS’ win over Sydney University.

Smith is expected to need a full game at reserves level before being considered for selection while Caleb Marchbank (ankle), Will Hoskin-Elliott (hamstring) and Tom Mohr (hamstring) could all return to the field following this week’s bye round.

Aidan Corr is continuing his rehabilitation from an ankle injury in round three and is still a couple of weeks from a return.

Injury List - June 27