GWS not spooked by superstar Kennedy

The spectre of West Coast star Josh Kennedy doesn’t bother GWS coach Leon Cameron who says his defence are tough enough to handle the reigning premier’s influential forward.

The dual Coleman medallist was absent from the Eagle’s bruising opening-round loss against the Brisbane Lions but will be fit to face off against the Giants in Perth on Sunday.

“It would have been better if it was another week, absolutely but I don’t think Simmo (West Coast coach Adam Simpson) is going to take that on board from me.”

Cameron agreed Kennedy and Jack Darling formed a formidable forward line, one which was lacking during West Coast’s humiliating 44-point thumping at the Gabba.

“Other than Darling there was a bunch of kids working their craft, and an away trip is always tough,” he said, adding the focus was on his personnel.

“We just have to make sure we’re really well prepared so we can bring that contested ball we delivered against the Bombers and move the ball in a manner that gives us an opportunity to put pressure on the scoreboard,” he said.

The Giants, who thumped Essendon by 72 points on Sunday, will have their own solid backline to counter Cameron through Phil Davis, Sam Taylor, Lachlan Keeffe and Jeremy Finlayson although Harry Perryman is out with a punctured lung.

Cameron is also buoyed by the prospect of star midfielder Josh Kelly making his season debut after he underwent hip and knee surgery during the off-season.

He said it was “more likely than not” that Kelly would play while Toby Greene was in doubt after pulling up sore after the Essendon romp as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery in November.