Cameron backs GWS’ AFL midfield to fire

GWS Giants coach Leon Cameron is confident his misfiring midfield will get back on track this weekend, as the AFL competition favourites look to regain their defensive mojo after conceding their biggest score in almost three years.

The Giants copped a 56-point opening round flogging from the Crows in Adelaide last Sunday, conceding 147 points, almost twice their 2016 average of 75 per game.

It was the biggest score kicked against the Giants since they leaked 188 and 154 in successive matches against West Coast and Richmond in May 2014.

GWS only lost back-to-back games once last year and Cameron remains confident of a strong response from his side in their first home game of the season, against Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium, on Saturday.

The GWS coach certain his midfield brigade will aim up after being overpowered by the Adelaide engine room.

“(Callan) Ward and (Ryan) Griffen, (Dylan) Shiel, (Josh) Kelly (Tom) Scully, just to name a few are disappointed in their efforts (against Adelaide),” Cameron said.

“I’m confident they are going to fix that on Saturday.”

Wanting to give the vast majority of his players the chance to redeem themselves Cameron said he thought there would probably be just one or two changes to the team crushed by the Crows.

One change will be forced, with off-season recruit Tendai Mzungu out for two to three months with a severe hamstring injury.

Midfield hard-nut Jacob Hopper is likely to earn a place after playing two games in the reserves following a pre-season interrupted by health issues.

Cameron said Sam Reid and Daniel Lloyd were also pushing for promotion while defender Aidan Corr could return from a hand injury.

The Giants have won their last four games against the Suns but Cameron is also wary of a Gold Coast side who were humbled by Brisbane in their opening round fixture.

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