De Boer fractured his shoulder prior to the Giants' mid-season bye, robbing the third-placed club of arguably the league's premier run-with player.

Pundits had started to tip de Boer as an All-Australian contender, so impressive was a long list of scalps that started with Essendon's Zach Merrett in round one.

Former Docker de Boer has also reduced the output of Brownlow medal favourite Patrick Cripps, Dustin Martin, Tim Kelly and Jaeger O'Meara in 2019.

GWS coach Leon Cameron suggested it would be impossible to find a like-for-like replacement for de Boer, flagging his intent to let the visitors' star-studded midfield go head-to-head with the Bombers' on-ball brigade at Marvel Stadium.

"We don't have two Matt de Boers on our list," Cameron told reporters.

"We'll probably go the angle of more taking their midfield on for starters.

"We've definitely got some plans in place to look at possibly locking down one or two of their players if they clearly get out of control.

"But in saying that, we back our midfield against Essendon's quality midfield ... we're really confident in our midfield."

Youngster Jackson Hately, who has performed run-with roles at NEAFL level, has been recalled while intercept defender Nick Haynes is also back after recovering ahead of schedule from his ankle injury

The Giants made three changes, also calling up small forward Zac Langdon while omitting Matt Buntine and Jake Stein.

The Bombers made one change, with defender Martin Gleeson to play his first game since 2017 after replacing Matt Guelfi in the team that was crushed by West Coast.

Sam Reid is among the tagging options at Cameron's disposal, having performed the role in the past, but the utility has been in career-best form this year as a defender.

"He'll definitely be starting down back," Cameron said.

The Giants have ticked off a lot of club firsts since their maiden season in 2012 but this week features their first regular-season game on Thursday night.

Cameron was wary of the Bombers, stinging from a loss to West Coast and boasting former Giants ace Dylan Shiel, but welcomed the additional attention as his charges seek to start the round with a bang.

"There will be a lot of eyes watching ... maybe three or four years ago it might have been a bit overwhelming. Crowds, scrutiny, more media attention," he said.

"We are eight years old as a club. We're not babies any more.

"We need to stand up and be men.

"Thursday night footy against the Bombers provides that opportunity."

Australian Associated Press