Manuka Oval games a Giant priority for GWS

And he even says there's the possibility they could shift their home game against Richmond there as well.

The Giants are meant to play the Power at Manuka on August 1, but the Victorian government's decision to classify Canberra as a red zone - despite the ACT going for more than a year without a COVID-19 case - has thrown a spanner in the works.

GWS have been on the road for a month, first relocating to Melbourne before shifting to Queensland - where several players have fallen foul to the evolving outbreak in Victoria and have been forced into isolation.

The Queensland government has placed no restrictions on travelling to and from Canberra and it's a similar situation with the ACT government, with the AFL set to make the final call on where the Giants-Port game will be played.

According to the AFL's website it's currently listed as "to be confirmed, Vic".

But Matthews said playing in Canberra, where they're contracted to play three home games every season, was a priority.

They were pushing to play their derby against the Sydney Swans at Manuka, but the AFL opted to schedule it for Ballarat before switching it to the Gold Coast due to the Melbourne lockdown.

"That is a big priority. It was only less than a week ago we were hoping to play the derby against the Swans in Canberra and we're conscious of the fact we didn't get to play any games in 2020 and we've got a couple away this year," Matthews said.

"The derby didn't eventuate, but Port's still a possibility. It doesn't matter whether we're based in Queensland or Canberra we can fly in and out.

"So we're just monitoring that one at the moment. Tentatively our plans would be to try and play it in Canberra."

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Matthews also said there was the potential they could play their following home game - against reigning premiers Richmond in round 22 - in the capital.

The Giants have made Manuka a fortress over the years, although they've lost their past three games there.

It wouldn't just be the boost of playing on their second home ground, but it would also be a financial boost for the Giants in uncertain economic times.

They get good crowds at Manuka, which would definitely be bigger than what they'd attract in South East Queensland - especially since there's minimal crowd restrictions in Canberra.

Just 2374 attended their clash with the Swans on the Gold Coast.

"All is going to depend on where the governments sit in relation to Victoria, NSW and Queensland and often times they take the ACT in if they're assessing NSW," Matthews said.

"It's a wait and see, but that's certainly a possibility, too."

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