Coleman Medal favourite Jeremy Cameron looms as a huge chance to return for a GWS Giants outfit preparing to mount a top four charge in Canberra this week.
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A minor calf injury stands between the AFL's leading goal kicker and a highly-anticipated clash with the Hawthorn Hawks at Manuka Oval on Friday night.
The Giants spearhead missed his side's nail-biting two-point win over the Sydney Swans last weekend due to the calf complaint.
Now it is a matter of risk versus reward for Giants coach Leon Cameron, who is adamant throwing the star forward into battle before he is fit is a gamble he cannot afford this late in the season.
The 26-year-old will be assessed during the week with the club hopeful Cameron will be fit to play as GWS set their sights on the run to September.
"He's a big chance to play against Hawthorn on Friday night," Leon Cameron said.
"He definitely shouldn't have played this weekend, and that's the reason why we pulled him out late ... we were going to give him every chance. In the end we ran out of time.
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"He'll definitely be putting his hand up, but we've also got to be mindful that he has had a magnificent year and we don't want to lose him for an extended period of time.
"It is on the minor side, but we'll have to see where Tuesday-Wednesday leads to. It's definitely looking a lot more positive for him playing."
The Hawks clash is GWS' final assignment in Canberra for the season as they set their sights on rebuilding a winning streak in the ACT.
The Giants have tasted defeat just once at Manuka Oval since 2015, which came in a four-goal loss to the Fremantle Dockers earlier this season.
Cameron soon orchestrated a return to winning ways when he booted six goals against St Kilda in Canberra to extend his tally to 49 majors in 18 games at Manuka Oval.
Now he has a chance to repeat his heroics should his fitness prevail in time for a Friday night blockbuster which Giants officials have said "doesn't get any bigger".
Cameron has 57 goals to his name this season and another haul would help him ward off the looming challenges of Ben Brown (52 goals) and Tom Hawkins (50).
If he had it his way he would have already built on his lead during GWS' tense win over the Swans this past weekend.
"He's champing at the bit in the rooms saying he should have played [in the Sydney derby]," Leon Cameron said.
"Sometimes players can get it wrong so we took that out of his hands and we'll assess during the week.
"If it leads for him to play, he'll play. But if not, we won't take the risk."
AFL ROUND 21
Friday: GWS Giants v Hawthorn Hawks at Manuka Oval, 7.50pm.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
