The GIANTS have made three changes for their huge clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

With midfielders Stephen Coniglio, Tom Scully and Adam Treloar all ruled out through injury, coach Leon Cameron has turned to Tommy Bugg, Zac Williams and Jack Steele as their replacements.

As revealed earlier in the week, vice-captain Scully (shoulder) and key midfielder Treloar (groin) will miss this week’s match while fellow midfielder Stephen Coniglio was unable to recover from a concussion sustained last weekend.

Coniglio was hit high by Bomber Adam Cooney in the final minutes of last Sunday’s win over Essendon and though he took part in training earlier in the week, the 21-year old failed a concussion test on Thursday morning.

“It’s disappointing, he was probably 60-40 during the week but struggled a little bit yesterday,” Cameron said.

“He had his test today and he hasn’t passed it. Unfortunately he can’t play but he should be right for next week.

“It’s a great opportunity for one of the other guys to come into the team.”

Bugg and Steele return to the side after strong NEAFL form while Williams comes straight back in after missing a fortnight with a hamstring injury.

“Tom Bugg has been playing some really good football at NEAFL level,” Cameron said.

“They’ve been in really, really good form. We’ve stated all year that our NEAFL side has been playing some great footy and there’s been seven or eight guys knocking on the door.

“They get an opportunity and it’s a big opportunity because we play a good side in Port Adelaide over on their home ground in front of probably 45-thousand people.

“These boys are going to step in and they know it’s going to be on and we’re really confident they’re going to step up to the mark.”

Bugg played the first 12 games of the season before being dropped to reserves but has impressed off the half-back line in recent weeks.

First-year player Steele made his debut in round 12, playing five AFL games before heading back to the NEAFL last weekend. He collected 35 touches, six marks and laid six tackles to earn an immediate recall.

Williams, who was today announced as having re-signed with the GIANTS for a further two years, will come in to play his ninth game for the year.

The 10th-placed GIANTS play 12th-placed Port for the first time at Adelaide Oval in just their second visit to the venue.

“It’s such a tight finish to the year which is just fantastic for footy followers,” Cameron said.

“We know it’s a really big challenge and to beat Port Adelaide over there on their ground is massive but we need to do the little things really well.

“We’re taking our confidence from last week into this week’s game.”

The GIANTS take on Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval at 4.35pm (EST) on Saturday with live coverage on 7mate in NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy from 4.30pm.

Port Adelaide v GWS GIANTS
Saturday August 15, 4.35pm EST
Adelaide Oval

GWS GIANTS

FB: Aidan Corr, Phil Davis, Nathan Wilson
HB: Nick Haynes, Joel Patfull, Heath Shaw
C: Devon Smith, Toby Greene, Jack Steele
HF: Jon Patton, Andrew Phillips, Josh Kelly
FF: Rhys Palmer, Jeremy Cameron, Will Hoskin-Elliott
R: Rory Lobb, Callan Ward, Ryan Griffen

Interchange: Cam McCarthy, Tommy Bugg, Lachie Whitfield, Zac Williams

In: Tommy Bugg, Zac Williams, Jack Steele
Out: Stephen Coniglio (concussion), Tom Scully (shoulder), Adam Treloar (groin)

Emergencies: Adam Tomlinson, Caleb Marchbank, Adam Kennedy