On that occasion, the Giants were coming off a five-day break. He returned the following round to bag three goals in a match-winning performance against leading premiership fancy Collingwood.

"On a six-day break, we’ve taken a cautious approach with Toby who’s pulled up a bit tight after our main session," Giants football boss Jason McCartney said.

Though not at the crippling levels of the past three seasons, the Giants' injury list is again rising.

They have seven missing from their grand final side, six of whom are unavailable due to injury - the other is Adam Tomlinson, who crossed to Melbourne. They have also ruled out inspirational former captain Callan Ward for six weeks due to soreness in his right knee. He underwent a reconstruction to his left knee last year.

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Forward Daniel Lloyd has also been taken out of the 22 announced on Thursday night due to concussion. Goalsneak Bobby Hill is in for his first game of the season while Jackson Hately has been given a reprieve after initially being dropped.

"Daniel Lloyd passed all the concussion protocols this week but we’ve opted to take him out of the 22, bearing in mind it's been a short week," McCartney said.

"We're looking forward to welcoming Bobby Hill into the side for the first time this year and we know what Jackson Hately can deliver."