GREATER Western Sydney has been dealt a massive blow with running defender Zac Williams facing a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Williams let the field in the third quarter of Friday night's win over Collingwood and failed to return.
The Giants had initially hoped it was just a tweak, but subsequent scans revealed more damage.
"He had a little grab in his hamstring when he kicked the ball off the ground early in that third quarter," Giants head of medical Cullan Ball said.
"We got a scan on his hamstring which just shows a little split in his upper hamstring tendon. We think Zac will probably miss about a month."
ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
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07:17
Cameron: 'It's not always pretty'
Watch Leon Cameron's press conference after the round four match against Collingwood
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04:50
Buckley: 'Won't see Howe for a while'
Watch Collingwood's press conference after round four's match against GWS
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02:08
A classic Greene game, Toby does it all
When GWS needed a win, its enigmatic match-winner Toby Greene delivered
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07:33
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00:55
Howe suffers serious knee injury in bone-crunching collision
Collingwood high-flier Jeremy Howe helped off after a massive hit
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00:38
Maynard's clanger leaves Bucks dismayed
A shocking error from Brayden Maynard and the Giants capitalise
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00:29
The ball's in mid-air, Mihocek doesn't care
An outstanding Taylor Adams tackle to set up a Mihocek stunner
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00:24
Genius Greene at his brilliant best
Gun Giant Toby Greene shows why his side sorely missed him last week
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00:15
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00:20
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00:29
Another fast start for star Pie
Jaidyn Stephenson gives Collingwood the lead heading into the first break
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00:25
Clunk from Cameron as Giants strike first
Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron slots the first goal of the game
In better news for the Giants, key defender Phil Davis is a chance to take on Hawthorn this week despite also failing to finish the match against the Pies.
"Phil just felt a little bit of tightness in his hamstring and we decided not to take any risks with him," Ball said.
"He's had a scan done which came up really well for us. That's clear and he’ll be a test for this week's game and fingers crossed he’ll be all good."
Meanwhile, Isaac Cumming will miss up to three months after a significant hamstring injury in the reserves practice match.
Reigning club champion Tim Taranto is expected to return within the next month from his shoulder reconstruction.