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 long and frustrating journey to recovery, battling multiple injuries that have kept him sidelined for nearly 10 months. Despite this, Daniels remains determined to make up for lost time and prove he’s still one of the league’s most dangerous small forwards.
Daniels’ 2023 season was plagued by a series of setbacks. He started the year with an abdominal strain, which limited him to just six games. His brief return in round 13 was cut short by an adductor injury, and later, a calf strain prevented him from playing in the Giants’ elimination final against Hawthorn. To make matters worse, he underwent surgery on his abdomen and groin, further delaying his comeback.
His hopes of starting the 2024 season were dashed when he suffered a hamstring strain during a pre-season match against Collingwood. This added another name to an already lengthy injury list for GWS coach Adam Kingsley. However, after months of rehabilitation, Daniels finally made his return in round five, scoring three goals in a dominant 56-point win over Richmond.
Despite his strong performance, Daniels was rested for the following game due to a tight turnaround ahead of the derby loss to Sydney. He quickly returned to the lineup for the North Melbourne match, kicking a goal in the seven-point victory. With the Giants sitting at 14th on the ladder with a 3-4 record, Daniels is eager to contribute more and help the team turn their season around.
“I’m only 27. I’m not 42,” Daniels said on Tuesday. “We haven’t planned too many rests. We’re just going to be smart throughout the year. It’s a long season, and I want to be playing my best footy at the end of the year and being a valuable man. If there are chances where it is a five-day break, maybe I do have a rest. We haven’t planned anything. I just do what I’m told.”
Teammates Also Working Through Injuries
Daniels isn’t the only Giant looking to regain fitness. Jesse Hogan (quad), Aaron Cadman (concussion), and Stephen Coniglio (concussion) have all returned to action in recent weeks. However, key defender Sam Taylor (hamstring) remains on the injury list and is at minimum three weeks away from returning.
“Kingers has always been big on, let’s start playing our best footy at the end of the year,” Daniels said. “We’re putting it together now, and when we get a few troops back, it only helps.”
Upcoming Challenge Against Gold Coast
For the first time, GWS will face the Gold Coast Suns, who are also an expansion club. Both teams made the finals last season, but the Suns have struggled recently, losing three of their last five matches and dropping to seventh on the ladder.
“They’ve probably improved a lot since they’ve got ‘Dimma,’” Daniels said. “The ‘Expansion Cup,’ I don’t read too much into that, but they’re a strong side.”
