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Gold Coast have overcome the loss of midfielder Hugh Greenwood to a suspected ACL tear to post a thrilling one-point win over GWS in Ballarat.
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew says his players will rally around Hugh Greenwood after the midfielder suffered a suspected ACL tear in the club's thrilling one-point AFL win over GWS in Ballarat.
Greenwood damaged his right knee when a teammate fell across him during the opening quarter of Sunday's 10.5 (65) to 9.10 (64) win at a windswept Mars Stadium.
The 29-year-old has been a key player for the Suns since switching from Adelaide at the end of 2019, and he now faces a year on the sidelines.
"The fears are ACL for Hugh, and that's really disappointing," Dew said.
"He's a much-loved member of the group. He's just had the birth of his second child. So the best week of his life - there's now just a little bit of a dampener on it. We'll get around him."
The Giants suffered a blow themselves when star midfielder Lachie Whitfield was subbed off in the second quarter with a migraine after copping a hit to the head.
Given no concussion has yet been diagnosed, GWS coach Leon Cameron is still holding out hope Whitfield will be available for the clash with Sydney.
"He's been very prone to migraines in his history at our footy club," Cameron said.
"He had a thumping migraine at halftime, so we've taken him out of the game. We'll assess it and see how he's going.
"He's such a brave player. Sometimes he's too brave at times.
"It hasn't been assessed as a concussion yet. I trust our doctors and medical team will make a great call on it."
The Giants led by 11 points with less than four minutes remaining before the Suns snatched the lead courtesy of goals to Matt Rowell and David Swallow within the space of 60 seconds.
Swallow's dribbled shot on the run from the top of the goal square had actually hit the post, but he was allowed to retake the kick after the umpire deemed the Suns veteran had been pushed in the back.
GWS star Toby Greene had the chance to either level the scores or put GWS ahead with a 40m set shot from the pocket with less than two minutes remaining, but the kick against a stiff and swirly breeze fell short and Suns defender Charlie Ballard was on hand to mark it.
The result saw GWS (7-1-8) drop from eighth spot to 10th, leaving them little wiggle room in their fight for a finals berth.
The Giants beat premiership fancies Melbourne a week ago, but their inconsistencies have been highlighted in recent losses to Hawthorn and Gold Coast, as well as drawing against last-placed North Melbourne.
Suns midfielder Touk Miller was outstanding with 32 disposals, 14 tackles and two goals.
Greene booted 3.2 from 20 disposals for the Giants. His highlight was a fly-kick goal in the third quarter after the ball had come off hands.
Giants ball magnet Jacob Hopper was instrumental with 39 disposals and 11 clearances in his 100th-game milestone.
"He tried to will us over the line, where some blokes were paddling a little bit," Cameron said.
