The Giants held their collective breath when Davis was poleaxed in the AFL derby on Saturday, having felt the full force of teammate Rory Lobb in a second-quarter marking contest at Spotless Stadium.

The key defender limped off in a world of pain and only hobbled back onto the field after halftime, struggling to run or turn because of the blow to his hip, ribs and leg.

Davis was taken off Lance Franklin and deployed as a forward.

The 27-year-old couldn't offer a great deal on the field but it meant the injury-cursed Giants, already reeling from Ryan Griffen's hamstring setback, were at least only one man down on the bench.

Giants utility Adam Tomlinson admits the collision brought back memories of the 2014 derby at the same venue, which almost led to Davis losing his kidney.

Davis was hurt in the first quarter of that match, helped guide GWS to victory then spent eight days in intensive care with internal bleeding.

"The way he was moving after it, that was the first thing that went through my mind. I rewound the clock to that game," Tomlinson said on Monday.

"But then he started moving. I spoke to him and he said he was fine.

"He's a lot better today, moving well. He was at training and he'll be right for this week.

"A lot of people would not have come back on ... but that's Phil. He's done that 1000 times for us. He's an absolute trooper."

Already missing defensive general Heath Shaw because of a season-ending knee injury, GWS will be desperate to get Davis on the park on Sunday.

Coach Leon Cameron applauded the bravery of Davis, admitting he "shouldn't have played after halftime".

Tomlinson suggested Davis' courage wasn't noticed much outside the club but was part of the reason he was such a great leader.

"The boys look at it, see that type of leadership and grow a bit taller," Tomlinson said.

Vice-captain Josh Kelly headlines the list of possible reinforcements for the depleted Giants on Sunday, having missed the derby defeat because of concussion.

Tomlinson noted injuries were no excuse for the 20-point loss, in which Franklin booted a match-winning five goals.

"We pride ourselves on being able to take up the slack when needed. We've done that a few times this year but our intensity levels just dropped away in that second half," he said.

Australian Associated Press