Greene not a magic fix for GWS: coach

GWS coach Leon Cameron has warned Toby Greene’s long-awaited return from suspension won’t be a magic fix to the Giants’ early-season woes.

A horror fadeout on Saturday night saw the Giants concede 10 third-quarter goals to a rampant Melbourne, leading to a 67-point thrashing that put another dent in their AFL finals hopes.

Semi-finalists last year, the Giants now have a disappointing 1-4 record ahead of a crunch clash with St Kilda in Canberra on Friday night.

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Greene will play his first match of the season after serving a six-match ban for making intentional contact with umpire Matt Stevic during last year’s finals series.

But Cameron doesn’t expect the explosive forward’s comeback to automatically turn the Giants’ flagging campaign around.

“We can’t expect miracles,” Cameron said.

“He hasn’t played a game yet, he hasn’t played a practice game, but he’s done an enormous amount of work.

“He’s fit, he’s hard and it will take a couple of weeks for him to get that game fitness.

“We all know he’s such an energiser for us so that will be a lift but if we think that Toby’s going to be the difference next Friday night … this is a club thing.

“We need to come with the right appetite, which we had for three quarters (against Melbourne), and we need to improve on the basics.”

Cameron, who is out of contract at the end of the season, expects an intense spotlight on his out-of-form side this week leading into the standalone Friday night clash with St Kilda.

He said the next month will be a defining period for the Giants as they face the Saints, Adelaide, Geelong and Carlton.

“There will be opportunity for young kids but equally you want your older players and your leaders who are a little bit off their game at the moment to fight their way out,” Cameron said.

“We’re not going to shy away from it and I’m looking forward to that.”

Ruckman Braydon Preuss will also be available to take on St Kilda after serving a one-game ban for striking.

Greene not a magic fix for GWS: coach
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