The spectre of West Coast star Josh Kennedy doesn’t bother GWS coach Leon Cameron who says his defenders are tough enough to handle the influential forward.
Dual Coleman medallist Kennedy was absent from the Eagles’ bruising opening-round loss to Brisbane but will be fit to face off against the Giants in Perth on Sunday.
“It would have been better if it was another week, absolutely, but I don’t think Simmo (West Coast coach Adam Simpson) is going to take that on board from me,” Kennedy said.
Cameron said Kennedy and Jack Darling formed a formidable forward line, one which was lacking during the reigning premiers’ humiliating 44-point thumping at the Gabba.
“Other than Darling there was a bunch of kids working their craft, and an away trip is always tough,” Cameron said, adding the focus was on his personnel.
“We just have to make sure we’re really well prepared so we can bring that contested ball we delivered against the Bombers and move the ball in a manner that gives us an opportunity to put pressure on the scoreboard.”
The Giants, who thumped Essendon by 72 points on Sunday, will have the likes of Phil Davis, Sam Taylor, Lachlan Keeffe and Jeremy Finlayson to counter West Coast’s forwards, although Harry Perryman is out with a punctured lung.
Cameron is buoyed by the prospect of star midfielder Josh Kelly making his season debut after he underwent hip and knee surgery during the off-season.
He said it was “more likely than not” that Kelly would play while Toby Greene was in doubt after he pulled up sore from the round-one romp as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery in November.