TWO OF Greater Western Sydney's brightest talents face extended time on the sidelines with reigning best and fairest Zarlie Goldsworthy experiencing a setback in her recovery and rising star Kaitlyn Srhoj suffering a fresh injury.

Goldsworthy's return from a lower leg fracture she suffered five weeks ago during a match simulation against Gold Coast has been pushed back after the star midfielder/forward struggled to ramp up her training loads over the past week.

An MRI revealed the fracture has not fully healed, delaying her progression and ruling out an initial early-season timeline.

"The poor thing had a bit of a setback just from the little fracture, a few of those small surrounding muscles weren't firing or getting to where they need to be. So we've delayed her return by a few more weeks," coach Cam Bernasconi said on Wednesday.

"She's a special player in this competition, so we want to make sure that when we put her back out there, she's ready, not just to perform this year, but for the long career she's going to have. So we won't see her for the next few weeks. 

"To Zarlie's credit, you forget how young she is; she's only 21, yet she's so mature. She probably comforts me more than I comfort her about it. I've been really impressed with her mindset."

Srhoj will spend the next six weeks in a moonboot after scans revealed bone stress in her foot, following reported soreness last week.

She joins Goldsworthy and draftee Scarlett Johnson on the sidelines. Johnson will miss the entire season after suffering a ruptured ACL during GWS' match simulation against Brisbane last month.

"It looks like [Srhoj will] miss a fair chunk of the season as well," Bernasconi said.

"Her return date is TBC, but she's another one we won't see in the short term. It hurts the program a little bit when you lose your top-end young talent - throw Scarlett Johnson in there as well. But it provides more opportunity for others. Those three players are still learning each week within our system, and their character is amazing. It's easy to show good character when things are going well, but when injured, those three have been incredible around the group."

Meanwhile, key forward Georgia Garnett has escaped serious shoulder damage following a heavy collision during GWS' 48-point loss to Melbourne on Sunday.

Garnett came from the field in the first quarter after a heavy fall impacted her AC joint. However, precautionary scans cleared her of any fractures, revealing only a minor shoulder injury.

The 24-year-old is listed as a test ahead of this weekend's clash against Yartapuulti at Manuka Oval, with a final decision on her availability to be made later in the week.

"She's pretty sore at the moment, so we'll see how we go," Bernasconi said of Garnett.

"Fingers crossed she gets up. It was a good little knock she took, so we'll give her every opportunity. She'll be modified throughout the week, and we'll make that call. We'll bring her to Canberra and make that call probably the morning of [the game]."

Bernasconi also stressed that maximising forward opportunities comes down to efficiency, ball retention, and building depth through team development, using the Giants' 1-1 record to start the season to frame their approach for Sunday's clash against the Power.

He highlighted that taking advantage of attacking entries is not just about creating looks, but finishing them on the scoreboard. With the competition growing tighter, he emphasised that "when we have the ball, we've got to make it count - kicking 4.2 instead of 1.5 or 1.6 and being happy with that."

However, Bernasconi admitted it can be frustrating trying to capitalise inside 50 while missing key forward weapons.

"It's not ideal, but it is what it is," he said.

"Every team in the competition goes through this. Over the last few years, unfortunately, we've had a few key injuries, but what comes with that is greater opportunity for others. 

"We are in a developing phase, it's about improving and getting better. It creates more avenues for other players to get more minutes. So it hurts a little bit right now, but in the long run, it will benefit us."