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Star forward Toby Greene will return as stand-in skipper of GWS for their AFL clash with North Melbourne in Hobart.
GWS stand-in skipper Toby Greene will return from a fractured shoulder in Sunday's AFL clash with North Melbourne, reaping the rewards of his competitive streak and an ideally timed bye.
Greene has struck career-best form this season, rallying the Giants from an alarming 0-3 start to a 5-6 record that has them in the mix for finals despite a stack of injuries to key personnel.
The star forward, having been included in an extended squad named on Thursday night, will tackle the Kangaroos in Hobart.
Phil Davis and Matt de Boer will also return from injuries this weekend, having spent two months on the sidelines because of soft-tissue injuries.
Former captain Davis' comeback will be in a rare VFL game, while de Boer has been rushed back directly to the AFL.
"You can't bring too many players back all at once," GWS coach Leon Cameron said.
The club expected Greene to spend at least a month on the sidelines after hurting his shoulder in a four-point loss to Richmond.
But the 27-year-old, who has been doing contact work for a week, attacked his rehab program with the same spirit in which he hunts the ball.
"He just goes at 100 miles an hour," Cameron said.
"He's had a wonderful year ... he has an enormous effect on the front half in terms of his competitiveness and we're a better team when he's in the side.
"Having those sorts of competitive players ... that's infectious for any young player that comes into your footy club."
Captain Stephen Coniglio (ankle) and key forward Jesse Hogan (calf) are both approximately three weeks away from returning.
Hamstrung young gun Harry Perryman is on track to face Carlton in round 14, while zippy small forward Brent Daniels should be available for the Giants' round-15 clash with Hawthorn.
"It's exciting because it creates lots of pressure for spots and that's exactly what you want," Cameron said of the cavalry on the cards.
"The bye came at a really good time for us.
"We've got to make sure we get the dynamic right of the team.
"Because we've been rapt with our young fellas progressing through their AFL journey and we've got to make sure we pull that right rein."