
Giants forward line hit with injury blows ahead of Collingwood clash
Greater Western Sydney will be without Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer after the star forwards picked up injuries in the lead up to AFL opening round.
Reigning Coleman medallist Hogan broke his thumb after accidentally jamming it in a door, while off-season recruit Stringer has been sidelined with a low-grade hamstring strain.
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The duo are expected to miss at least two weeks, though Hogan could miss up to three.
It is a major blow to the Giants ahead of their Sunday clash against Collingwood at Engie Stadium, already without star midfielder Tom Green (calf).
Stringer, who already has a sordid history of soft-tissue injuries, had complained of hamstring tightness in a VFL practice match on Saturday, leaving the field after one quarter.

Reigning Coleman medallist Hogan broke his thumb after accidentally jamming it in a door. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)
Hogan broke his thumb after their final pre-season hit-out against Carlton.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley was already mulling the make up of his squad after the departures of mainstays Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming and James Peatling.
Jake Riccardi, Harvey Thomas, Toby McMullin and Joe Fonti will also have to serve two-match bans for their involvement in a post-season function last year, with fringe Giants player Josh Fahey out for four.
The Giants will at least welcome back forward Callum Brown from a hamstring injury, while ruckman Kieren Briggs has overcome illness and is available for selection.
“My body is feeling good,” Briggs said on Tuesday.
“I managed to get a big block of pre-season in and I’m firing and ready to go.”
Phoenix Gothard, looking to make his AFL debut, is a test for the Collingwood clash after spraining his ankle in pre-season.
Green is pushing for a return to round one after originally being slated to return after the club’s round-two bye.
Collingwood will also be without key player Jordan De Goey, who suffered a bruised knee in training.
AAP