The GIANTS’ young backline is likely to be bolstered by the return of dual Brisbane Lions club champion Joel Patfull for Saturday's clash with Geelong in Canberra.
 
The 30 year-old trained strongly on Wednesday and looks to have recovered from the broken ribs he suffered in round 11 loss to Collingwood.
 
Patfull, who also punctured his lung in an accidental collision with fellow defender Matt Buntine against the Pies, has missed the past four games.
 
The veteran underwent some extra work after training with assistant coach Chad Cornes, and GIANTS coach Leon Cameron says the experienced Patfull will be a welcome addition to the side.
 
"He was really good today in his session, we'll assess that and whether on not the five weeks off (means) he's ready to come in," Cameron said on Wednesday.
 
"What's in his favour is he's obviously a 10-year player, and he's a mature body that we need as well.
 
"He got through today, he's been training for about a week now, and tried to slip in last week but we thought we had to give him another week.
 
"He's given himself every chance to play."
 
While Patfull could come in to face the Cats at StarTrack Oval, Buntine is in doubt with concussion, after copping a heavy knock against Gold Coast last week.
 
With Patfull and co-captain Phil Davis absent for the past four matches, Buntine has been in great form playing on bigger and taller opponents, so his absence will be a big loss.
 
"There's a little question mark at the moment," Cameron said.
 
"Look he's as tough as nails as we know and he loves putting his head over the footy, or flying back with the flight of the footy, but there's a few little boxes to tick yet.
 
"The welfare of Matthew Buntine will always come first so if he doesn't tick that box, we're not going to wheel him out in such an important game."
 
Round 17 is one of the most significant games in the GIANTS’ short history, and could well prove vital to their hopes of making the finals for the first time.
 
The GIANTS currently sit seventh on the ladder with the 11th-placed Cats a game and a half behind.
 
In other matches this weekend, the Western Bulldogs (sixth) take on Collingwood (ninth), while Richmond (fifth) plays ladder leaders Fremantle.
 
Adelaide (eighth) and North Melbourne (ninth) are expected to beat Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions respectively, so depending on results around the league, a loss for the GIANTS could see them drop out of the top eight.

The GIANTS play Geelong in a blockbuster clash at StarTrack Oval in Canberra this Saturday at 1.45pm with tickets selling fast, CLICK HERE to get yours today.