GWS Star Brent Daniels Returns to AFL After Long Injury Struggle
Brent Daniels is finally back on the field, but his return to the AFL has been anything but straightforward. The GWS Giants forward has endured a frustrating run of injuries over the past year, but now that he’s fit, he’s determined to make up for lost time.
At just 27 years old, Daniels knows he has plenty of football left in him. He’s not looking to play it safe, but he also understands the importance of managing his body carefully throughout the season. “I’m only 27. I’m not 42,” he said. “We haven’t planned too many rests. We’re just going to be smart throughout the year.”
Daniels’ journey back to the field has been a long one. Last season, he was limited to just six games due to a series of injuries. He started the year with an abdominal strain, then had a brief return in round 13 before another setback—a adductor injury. A calf strain later ended his chances of playing in the club’s elimination final against Hawthorn, and he eventually underwent surgery for both an abdominal and groin issue.
His hopes of playing in the opening round were dashed when he suffered a hamstring strain during a pre-season match against Collingwood. This added to an already lengthy injury list for GWS coach Adam Kingsley. However, after nearly 10 months on the sidelines, Daniels finally made his return in round five, kicking three goals in a 56-point win over Richmond.
He was later rested due to a short turnaround before the derby loss to Sydney. But he quickly found his way back into the lineup for the North Melbourne match, where he kicked a major in the seven-point victory. With the 14th-placed Giants aiming to improve on their 3-4 start to the season, Daniels is eager to contribute more.
Building Fitness and Team Cohesion
Daniels isn’t the only key player working to regain his form. Jesse Hogan (quad), Aaron Cadman (concussion), and Stephen Coniglio (concussion) have all returned to action against the Kangaroos. However, All-Australian key defender Sam Taylor remains on the injury list with a hamstring issue and is at least three weeks away from returning.
Despite these challenges, Daniels believes the team is starting to come together. “’Kingers’ has always been big on, let’s start playing our best footy at the end of the year,” he said. “We’re putting it together now, and when we get a few troops back, it only helps.”
The Giants are also preparing for a new challenge as they face Gold Coast for the first time this season. Both expansion clubs made the finals last year, but the Suns have struggled recently, losing three of their last five matches and dropping to seventh place.
A New Era for GWS
Daniels acknowledges that the Suns have improved since Damien Hardwick took charge. “Since they’ve got ‘Dimma’, they’ve probably improved a lot,” he said. “The ‘Expansion Cup’, I don’t read too much into that, but they’re a strong side.”
As the season progresses, Daniels is focused on maintaining his fitness and contributing to the Giants’ push for improvement. His resilience and determination have been tested over the past year, but now that he’s back on the field, he’s ready to show what he’s capable of. For a player who has faced so many setbacks, his return is a testament to his perseverance and passion for the game.
