In-demand star Josh Kelly has been urged to stamp his own leadership style at injury-ravaged GWS after the AFL side ignored contract status while making their captaincy call.
Kelly is weighing up whether to activate a contract clause that will trigger an eight-year extension, essentially making him a Giants player for life, or test the market as a restricted free agent.
GWS coach Leon Cameron called it a "no brainer" to promote Kelly as stand-in skipper for Sunday's clash with West Coast at Giants Stadium.
The 26-year-old will continue to lead the club until either captain Stephen Coniglio or vice-captain Toby Greene return from injury.
Former co-captain Phil Davis and Matt de Boer are also on the Giants' injury list, leaving Kelly, Lachie Whitfield and Jacob Hopper as the only fit members of the club's leadership group.
Cameron revealed the club discussed whether to instal Kelly as caretaker captain ahead of Greene after Coniglio's ankle setback in round three.
"That's the sort of confidence we have in him," Cameron said.
"The good thing about having opportunities like this is that people can grow and develop.
"He's got to stick to what he knows and be himself ... you don't want to be trying to be someone you're not."
The promotion will heighten interest and speculation regarding whether the Victorian, recruited with pick No.2 in the 2013 draft, will return home at season's end or not.
"He's the best person for the job," Cameron said.
"Whether that is in contract or out of contract is irrelevant for me.
"He's been here eight years. I'm confident he'll be here for a long, long time.
"But that doesn't come into play when you're looking at your best leader for this weekend's game and the next."
Coniglio won't return until after the bye, while Greene will be out of action for at least a month after suffering a fractured shoulder in last Saturday's loss to Richmond.
Kelly, who struggled with injuries in recent years after winning the club's best and fairest plus All-Australian selection in 2017, has been one of the Giants' best during a 4-5 start to this season.
The on-baller has spent time in the midfield, on the wing and also in the forward line.
"Unbelievably selfless ... we've been down on number and he's been filling different positions," Cameron said.
"His performances have been first class.
"That's the reason why it was an easy decision."
Greene and Harry Perryman (hamstring) will be enforced omissions this weekend but Nick Haynes and Sam Reid are on track to return from injury, while key forward Jeremy Finlayson has served his one-game suspension.
"It's been a difficult stage ... really proud of the young lads stepping up," Cameron said.
