GWS fight for top AFL spot without Kelly

Greater Western Sydney’will be without their coveted midfield star Josh Kelly in Brisbane on Saturday, when they have the chance to go top of the AFL ladder.

Kelly, who is coming off contract and certain to attract big-money offers from rival clubs, suffered a hip injury at training.

He will miss his first game of the season when the Giants play Brisbane at the Gabba.

Potentially going top isn’t having a major bearing on the Giants’ mindset as they try to avoid being the latest victims in an AFL season stuffed with upsets.

A win over the last-placed Lions will push GWS four points clear of Adelaide, who crashed at home to Hawthorn on Thursday night.

That might seem like powerful motivation and a big carrot, but the wary Giants aren’t nibbling too hard.

‘We want to win the game, but it doesn’t change our thinking, we can only worry about Brisbane,” recalled GWS key defender Nick Haynes told AAP.

GWS are understandably cautious about Saturday’s assignment and attaching any significance to ladder positions given they lost to Carlton in one of the season’s biggest upsets before their bye week.

“We were first and Carlton were 17th and we lost and the same again last night, Adelaide were first and Hawthorn were 17th,” Haynes said.

‘It just shows you that if you’re off your game a little bit any side can beat you and Brisbane is no exception.

“Playing them up at the Gabba at their home ground, some youngsters are playing some really good footy and if we’re not on our game we’re going to get beaten.”

Haynes is back to bolster the Giants’ defence after missing their last six matches with a hamstring injury.

Teenager Alex Witherden will make his debut for a Brisbane side coach Chris Fagan said took big steps in the right direction against against Port Adelaide last week.

“It’s a great opportunity to give ourselves another test against a super football team tomorrow night,” Fagan said.

“You’ve got to be on your toes with GWS, they’ve got magnificent ball users in their team.”

Ryan Bastinac will play his 150th game spread across North Melbourne and Brisbane, while Dylan Shiel will chalk up his 100th appearance for GWS.

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