GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley has confirmed veteran midfielder Josh Kelly will not feature again this season, dealing a blow to the club's fading finals hopes. The 31-year-old vice-captain underwent hip surgery in November for a recurrent right hip issue, described by the club as “unprecedented” and involving “some prosthesis components” but not a hip replacement.
Kelly's Recovery Delayed
With eight home and away rounds remaining, Kelly has yet to resume running. Kingsley revealed the setback on Friday: “He’s hopefully starting to run next week. Starting to run again and playing within a seven-week or eight-week window, whatever, is probably not a window that he’s going to be able to get back in.”
Kingsley acknowledged the severity of the surgery: “This one hasn’t come on as quickly as what I would have hoped anyway. That’s the nature of what was a pretty significant surgery. I certainly knew it was going to be that way.”
Giants' Injury Crisis Deepens
Kelly is one of 15 injured GWS players as the 14th-placed Giants (6-9) face a tough run to finals. The team is on a three-game losing streak and will face ladder leaders Fremantle (14-1) at Manuka Oval on Saturday. Key defender Jack Buckley’s return from a hamstring issue has also been delayed, while forward Max Gruzweski will miss at least four weeks with a dislocated patella but avoided surgery. Brent Daniels is sidelined with a calf strain, though Kingsley is hopeful he could return if the Giants make finals.
Club at a Crossroads
Beyond injuries, GWS faces off-field uncertainty. Captain Toby Greene has yet to re-sign amid speculation he may return to Victoria. Star midfielder Tom Green, sidelined with an ACL injury, is contracted until 2027 but has attracted interest from expansion club Tasmania. Inaugural player Stephen Coniglio’s contract ends this season, while Kelly is tied to the club until 2029. The Giants are also searching for a new chief executive to replace Dave Matthews.
Despite the challenges, Kingsley remains confident in Kelly’s long-term prospects: “If he can get back physically and he’ll have a whole pre-season to be able to do that, then I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t return to what he’s been in the past. But again, there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before that happens.”
Kelly played just 15 games last season due to hip and calf injuries, but starred in a 19-point elimination final loss to Hawthorn. His absence leaves a significant gap in the Giants' midfield as they fight to keep their premiership window alive.
