Josh Kelly injury: GWS Giants star hopeful, but unlikely to face Collingwood in AFL final

Tom Naghten

Josh Kelly injury: GWS Giants star hopeful, but unlikely to face Collingwood in AFL final image

UPDATE: Giants coach Leon Cameron has given star midfielder Josh Kelly a ''minor'' chance of facing Collingwood in their do-or-die final on Saturday night.

Kelly left the field early in the first half of GWS's dominant win over inter-city rivals Sydney Swans on the weekend, failing to return after having his knee heavily strapped.

Cameron revealed there was a slight tear in his meniscus. but it is an injury Kelly has battled with over the past season.

"His knee has got a little tear in that meniscus. But it's something that he's already been carrying throughout the last year or two," Cameron told SEN.

"We'll give him every chance.

"Is he a chance, in terms of a chance of playing this week? It's probably minor. But we're gonna give him every chance.

"He's actually settled pretty well."

If the Giants can overcome the Magpies, Cameron is confident Kelly will suit up again this season.

"There's still a good chance that Josh Kelly will be playing again this year," he said.

BEFORE: GWS star Josh Kelly came from the field with what looked to be a serious knee injury in the first quarter of his side's elimination final win with Sydney at the SCG on Saturday.

The Giants held a slender lead after a low-scoring and frantic opening to the match when Kelly limped from the ground.

Kelly was treated at quarter time, had his right knee strapped and went for several jogs as well as spending time on the bike, though he never looked comfortable and didn't return to the field for the rest of the half.

The midfielder eventually went back into the rooms for further assessment.

Fox Footy's Jon Ralph said at half time that a serious strain was believed to be ruled out though it was later confirmed that Kelly would take no further part in the game.

GWS took a 15-point lead into the main break after a tense first half.

After a dominant third quarter without the silky left-footer, Giants footy manager Wayne Campbell told Jude Bolton it was a suspected meniscus injury.

Post-game following the emphatic 49-point win, coach Leon Cameron said they would know more in the next couple of days.


Regardless of the results of the scans in the coming days, the 23-year-old looks a long shot to play in GWS' semi final next week.

Cameron's side will take on the loser the West Coast-Collingwood qualifying final at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.