Belated hope for Deledio, Griffen

THE Giants are hopeful injured veterans Brett Deledio and Ryan Griffen will have a role to play this season, possibly as finals reinforcements.

Deledio hasn’t played at all this year because of chronic calf injuries and Griffen has played just three games this year due to a serious ankle injury.

Deledio’s return is listed as indefinite and Griffen has eight weeks alongside his name but Giants football manager Wayne Campbell says they could both be playing before September.

The Giants haven’t been able to take a trick on the injury front this year. Just as they welcomed back Rory Lobb and Devon Smith from long-term injuries, they have lost Steve Johnson (knee soreness) and Jeremy Finlayson (knee) to bring their injury tally to 14 just eight matches out from the finals.

Toby Greene (ankle) and Zac Jones (hamstring) will miss the clash with Hawthorn in Launceston tomorrow.

The Giants have upgraded NSW products Zach Sproule and Jake Stein to the senior list.

Stein is an Australian decathlon champion and represented the country at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.