Zaharakis has been cleared of serious damage after he was subbed out following a knee to the back in a marking contest.
“It was a big knock to the back that winded him at the time which saw him come off and we will be assessed during the week,” Football Operations Manager Steve Alessio said.
“He pulled up a bit sore today but hopefully it is just a corkie to the lower back and he will be tested throughout the week and hopefully he gets up this weekend.”
“From all indications he has just pulled up a bit stiff and sore so we will just manage that during the week.”
Veteran Dustin Fletcher is expected to take his place against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday after receiving a heavy knock during a marking contest last in the win over the Dogs.
“He doesn’t come off too often Fletch so to see him doubled over and walking off the ground was a bit concerning,” Alessio said.
“In the end was winded pretty badly and has pulled up pretty well today at training.”
Stewart Crameri is also expected to line up against the Giants after he was left out of the team to face the Bulldogs in order to give him an extra week to regain his fitness.
“He pushed really hard for selection against the Western Bulldogs and trained really hard last Friday but we wanted to be conservative with him,” Alessio said.
“We would expect him to have a full week of training and put his hand up to play against GWS.”
Dyson Heppell’s broken nose is not expected to hamper his preparations for the trip to Sydney however Heath Hocking is expected to miss another week with his calf complaint.
Captain Jobe Watson took a key step to his recovery this morning taking part in his first training session since breaking his collarbone.
Watson took part in some light running drills and is expected to increase his workload over the next week.
“The doctors have been really enthused by his rate of recovery at the moment in terms of the range of motion of the shoulder and the work that he has been doing.”
“It is a bone break so it does take a certain amount of time for it to heal but from all reports the operation was good and the wound is healing really well.”
“Hopefully it is sooner rather than later for Jobe but he is still a few weeks off.”
