The Giants have earmarked a spot in the best 22 for Aaron Cadman should he be ready to take it early in the season.
Assistant coach Brett Montgomery is hoping the 2022 no.1 draft pick can make his presence felt early and play a role.
Cadman surged into pick one calculations late in the piece before being selected by the Giants, who traded up to secure the former Vic Country product.
The 195cm 18-year-old played as a mobile yet strong marking forward in his junior years and has been likened to star Cat Jeremy Cameron.
As it stands, Cadman is training well and appears set for an early debut.
“I’d like to think so,” Montgomery responded when asked if Cadman would play early in the season.
“He certainly hasn’t put a foot wrong so far. He's only a slight build, incredibly athletic, he gets across the ground really well, so I don’t see why not.
“Obviously we’ll have the dilemma with Harry Himmelberg who’s a pivotal piece for us and whether he plays forward or back, at the moment he’s spending his time at the forward just to make sure that we’ve got some insurance if Aaron isn’t ready to go early in the season.
“But we’re really excited, really hopeful that he’ll play some meaningful football early.”
Montgomery’s comments suggest Himmelberg could be shuffled to defence if and when Cadman plays.
After playing six seasons almost exclusively as a forward at the Giants, the 26-year-old was moved to defence midway through 2022 under stand-in coach Jarrod McVeigh.
Himmelberg flourished, frequently gathering over 20 disposals and recording 10 or more rebound 50s on four occasions as an intercept defender.
His reading of the play makes him an important asset at either of the ground. When asked if Himmelberg could slot back into defence to accommodate Cadman, Montgomery sang the praises of the 127-game Giant.
“Potentially. If we get Jesse Hogan up and running and fully fit and at the top of his game, and Jake Riccardi comes on like we believe he can, then that conversation will definitely need to be had,” he replied.
“I see Harry as one of these types that could potentially be an All-Australian centre half-back, and at the moment he’s running around the forward line playing roles for us because we need him, that’s where it sits.”
Hogan played 18 games in 2022 in his most consistent season at GWS, while Riccardi managed 15 appearances.
GWS kicks off its season with a Round 1 game against Adelaide on March 19, to be Adam Kinglsey’s first game in charge of the club.