Double blow for Giants as star pair ruled out
THE GWS Giants worst fears have come true with star forward Jeremy Cameron and ruckman Shane Mumford both out of the semi-final against West Coast with season-ending injuries.
Cameron suffered his third hamstring injury of the year and Mumford has a bone fracture in his foot.
Mumford met specialists yesterday afternoon in a desperate bid to play against the Eagles at Spotless Stadium on Saturday but was ruled out by GWS medical staff.
The losses are a massive blow to the Giants premiership hopes with the pair arguably the most important on their list.
Cameron has been the leading goalkicker for GWS in each of their six seasons in the AFL.
Mumford has been a barometer for the club’s performances in his four seasons at Spotless Stadium after transferring from the Swans in 2014.
He struggled through the Giants’ qualifying loss to Adelaide on Thursday night but played out the match with a fractured foot.
His aggression and intensity will be missed enormously against the Eagles
The Mumford and Cameron injuries are the latest in a never-ending run of outs for GWS this season which has seen them lose more than 140 matches to senior players.
As bad as the news is cocaptain Callan Ward says the injuries are simply something that has to be dealt with.
“You can’t blame injuries; it’s part of the game,” Ward said.
“We’ve been unlucky but other clubs have as well, we have to deal with it and play the best footy we can with the 22 we’ve got.”
While GWS has been smashed by injuries, there is plenty of talent in their reserves including veterans Steve Johnson and Ryan Griffen who both played in a practice match against the Crows reserves in Adelaide on Friday.
Talented small forward Devon Smith is also available after missing last week with a knee injury.
“Steve Johnson, Ryan Griffen and Devon Smith are all up for this weekend,” Ward said.
“Steve and Griff played in the scratch match and played really well. I don’t care who comes in and whoever does I have full confidence in them.
“I’ve got full belief in all the players on our list, if it’s Steve its Steve and if it’s Griff I’d love to play with him, too. It doesn’t bother me.”
The Eagles will travel to Spotless Stadium for the second time in the past month.
They pushed the Giants all the way in their round 22 contest before GWS pulled away in the dying minutes.
Luke Shuey’s extra-time goal after the siren on Saturday was a spectacular finish to the match against Port Adelaide and has the Eagles riding a wave of momentum after their heart-stopping Round 23 win against the Crows.