GWS forward Jake Riccardi will miss at least two months in a massive double-injury blow for the Giants.
Riccardi underwent surgery for ankle syndesmosis after injuring himself in the dying stages of the Giants' 78-point win over the Brisbane Lions.
He joins defender Jack Buckley, who went down in the first quarter against the reigning premiers with a hamstring injury.
Heading to Alice Springs to face a plucky Melbourne side, GWS are already without spearhead Jesse Hogan (hip) and fellow forward options Darcy Jones (knee), Xavier O'Halloran (ankle) and Cody Angove (hamstring).
GWS captain Toby Greene and Jake Stringer have been the only forwards to feature in all 11 games so far as the club manages a raft of injuries.
