‘Big decisions’: Can Giants star Greene play through hectic schedule?

Greene missed games against the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane, which came after breaks of five and six days. On both occasions, the Giants lost but Greene returned the following week to deliver match-winning performances.

“All those three things [injuries] add up and you say, well, if he does something he’ll miss three weeks, if he misses he’ll be fine the week after,” Cameron said.

“We’re always making that decision. It’s not just Toby. Clearly, the players who are really, really important to your structure you’re looking at closely.

“No doubt over the next coming three weeks we’ll have big decisions to make on players on how they’ve pulled up. Can they back up and back up and back up? It’s not just the first five-day break, it’s the second or third that you might be playing.”

Cameron bristled at suggestions from former North Melbourne great turned analyst David King that the Giants coach’s game plan was fast reaching its used-by date.

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King has grave doubts as to whether the Giants can win a maiden flag if they continue to defend from deep in their back half instead of locking the ball in their forward 50. The Giants have not won a single inside-50 count this season.

Cameron, however, said the Giants had been hurt by injuries to their quicker players such as Zac Williams, Sam Reid, Adam Kennedy and Sam Taylor, particularly in a season when games have been shortened by 20 per cent.

“I totally disagree,” Cameron said of King’s views. “To change overnight, some clubs have been able to do that with the speed on their list.

“Some sides are benefiting more than others. I thought last week … we had 68 tackles at 71 per cent, if Kingy had have looked at it. Our pressure was a lot better.”