Giants co-captain Phil Davis says the return of Lachlan Whitfield will be a "massive boost" for Greater Western Sydney, as the club endures a bizarre injury path to the AFL premiership decider.
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The Giants hope to welcome back a trio of stars ahead of this weekend's grand final clash with the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, after Whitfield returned to training on Monday.
The 25-year-old midfielder joined Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward in the injury ward for the Giants' preliminary final after being struck down with appendicitis last week.
Whitfield underwent surgery to have his appendix removed last Wednesday, but Davis is confident he'll be fit and ready to play their maiden grand final.
"He's going really well. Obviously time is always good for Lachie but he's super confident he'll be okay and ready to go on Saturday," Davis said.
"It'll be a big boost for the team."
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The Giants will wait until the eleventh hour to decide whether Coniglio will be able to make a fairytale return from knee injury, while the club welcome star forward Toby Greene back from suspension.
Davis has also declared himself fit to play the premiership decider and hopes to lead the club towards their first AFL flag.
The Canberra-born defender suffered finger, shoulder and back complaints during the Giants' preliminary final triumph over the Collingwood Magpies on Saturday, spending most of the match in the forward line due to injuries.
"I'm in a much better place than I was on Saturday," Davis said.
"The scans came back all clear, so all guns are blazing now for the grand final."
Davis will return to the Giants' backline and is set to battle against Richmond's star studded forward pack of Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt.
Lynch has been a crucial force in the Tigers' front line, having kicked 61 goals this season and finished their preliminary final with 19 disposals and 10 marks.
"We'll have to work very hard to stop them because they're very good players but I'm confident we've got the ability to subdue their forward line who are led by Tom and Jack," Davis said.
"No doubt they're the best forwards in the competition and they're going to have a big say in how the game transpires."
GWS won three consecutive knockout games to reach their first grand final after seven years in the competition.
AFL GRAND FINAL
Saturday: Richmond Tigers v GWS Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground, 2.30pm.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
