Haynes missed eight weeks with a hamstring tendon tear but recovered from the injury faster than expected and will bolster a GWS side that went into last week's bye reeling from a shock loss to Carlton.

Star midfielder Josh Kelly has been named to play despite suffering a hip complaint at training last week, while key tall Rory Lobb will make his return from a groin injury this weekend, albeit through the reserves.

Youngster Harry Perryman makes way for Haynes after playing four games in his first AFL stint, further bolstering the club's NEAFL team, while fellow draftee Will Setterfield returns from an ankle injury to play in the reserves.

The Giants are desperate for a win in veteran Heath Shaw's 250th AFL game after the disappointment against Carlton, and they'll be up against a familiar face in Jake Barrett who spent three years at GWS for just one senior game before departing to Brisbane for a fresh opportunity.

Barrett couldn't break into the talented top 22 at the Giants, but has settled nicely at the Lions playing nine games already this year and chipping in with as many goals.

GWS coach Leon Cameron encouraged Barrett to chase a new start once his Giants contract expired at the end of last year, but told the 21-year-old the club would re-sign him as a rookie should he fail to find another club.

Brisbane came knocking and signed Barrett as a rookie themselves, from where he'll likely be upgraded at the end of the season should his strong form continue.

"Leon was very good with me, he's a very honest fella," Barrett said. "He put it in my hands and when I let him know that I was going to Brisbane he was really good and just wished me all the best.

"When I first got here it was a bit like the Giants probably three or four years ago. We've definitely showed throughout the year that we can play a good brand of footy and I guess age and experience will come with that as we grow together.

"I'm still young myself so I'm still learning a lot because I haven't played too many games."

Barrett grew up as a rugby league player in Temora, and didn't get serious about Australian Rules football until his mother suggested he give it a go at the age of 16.

By his own admission Barrett's kicking is still improving but he's averaging six tackles a game for the Lions this season, an element of his game he said was forged on the junior rugby league field.

"I loved league, I stopped playing when I was about 17 but I reckon it definitely helped me with the tackling side," Barrett said.

"That's always been my main attribute, my tackling and putting on pressure. Coming from that league it's definitely helped me technique wise ...

When I first started I wasn't the greatest kick out there but definitely over the last few years it's definitely come along. That's something I had to pick up pretty quick."

He's had plenty of sound advice along the way too – from first cousin Luke Breust who's already a three-time premiership player at Hawthorn, and from second cousin Trent Barrett the coach at NRL club Manly Sea Eagles.

Barrett still regularly speaks to both men, and is a keen observer of Manly's fortunes, although he admits he grew up supporting St George Illawarra where his second cousin carved out a career as one of the classiest playmakers of his generation.

"Trent's always been good. I remember going through the early stages before getting drafted, he was always giving me a call now and then to see how I'm going, how I'm progressing," Barrett said.

"He's obviously pretty busy most of the time but he always gives me a call now and then just to see how I'm going and how it's been. He's been pretty flat out since he's gone to Manly.

"I reckon he's doing a great job and he's very passionate as well. He loves the sport and if you've got that passion side of things, it really helps. He's just really committed and that's what you want."