Many veterans to miss AFL round 1: Sheedy

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy is resigned to being without at least three of his most experienced players for the Giants’ AFL debut against crosstown rival Sydney.

Sheedy suggested on Wednesday the Giants were likely to be missing up to five or six players for the ANZ Stadium encounter on March 24.

Among the absentees will be midfielder Luke Power (hamstring), ruckman Dean Brogan (hamstring) and forward Setanta O’hAilpin (cork).

Sheedy was already resigned to taking on the Swans without the club’s No.1 draft pick Jonathan Patton, who underwent knee surgery in Sweden.

Sheedy said he was pretty close to finalising his preferred 22 for the match against Sydney.

“The best ones we can put out there,” Sheedy said ahead of his side’s final pre-season clash with Richmond in Canberra on Saturday.

“We will not have our best team out there, but it’s always hard to organise your best team to be running out there week in, week out.”

Sheedy reiterated rugby league convert Israel Folau would definitely be part of the side to face the Swans.

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