Broken Hill’s Isaac Cumming will become the 88th GIANT when he makes his AFL debut against the Eagles on Saturday at Spotless Stadium as one of three changes to the side.
The GIANTS Academy graduate and 2016 number 20 draft pick is a classy defender with elite disposal and exciting pace.
The 19-year-old knocked the door down at the selection table with 33 disposals, nine marks and two tackles in the NEAFL on the Gold Coast last Saturday, after being the travelling emergency in Geelong the night before.
“It’s really exciting for Isaac, he’s been in really good form over the past month and played some really good solid footy on half-back and the wing,” said coach Leon Cameron.
“We really like his defensive actions but also his run and carry, and he thoroughly deserves to play his first game.”
Ruckman Rory Lobb and star forward Jeremy Cameron also return to the side, with Lobb making his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in a heavy collision against the Swans in round three.
Cameron slots back in at full forward after missing a week with a toe injury he was carrying earlier in the season.
“Rory’s been out for a month and we look forward to him having a presence in the ruck but also in the aerial duels against a West Coast side who are good in the air,” Cameron said.
“Jeremy’s had the week off and he’s really keen to get out there on Saturday and play his role. He can’t wait to play in Wardy’s 200th game.”
Dylan Buckley, Jon Patton and Nick Shipley have been omitted and are expected to line up for the GIANTS in their NEAFL clash against the Swans Reserves on Saturday morning.
“Jon needs to work on his forward craft,” Cameron said.
“We know what he’s capable of, he’s kicked multiple goals at AFL level before. He’s just got to find that form that made him a huge presence for us last year.
“All players go through this and I’m sure Jon will come out the other side as a better player.”
The GIANTS will be keen to atone for their poor performance against Geelong last weekend in what will be co-captain Callan Ward’s 200th AFL game.
The 2007 number 19 pick has played 139 games for the GIANTS and kicked 100 goals, with the 28-year-old now tied with Phil Davis and Joel Selwood as the longest-serving captains in the league. He is also the GIANTS’ games record holder and winner of the 2012 Kevin Sheedy Medal.
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“The guys that run out there will want to support Wardy in every possible way,” Cameron said.
“The attack on the footy, the defensive side, the way we move the ball, that undying effort that you want to put in to support Wardy the way he’s supported everyone else across the journey.
“But it’s a huge challenge because clearly the Eagles are an A-grade team and we need to measure up because clearly they’re one of the form teams of the competition and they’re a genuine top-four team.”
The GIANTS take on the Eagles at Spotless Stadium on Saturday at 1:45pm.
GIANTS v West Coast Eagles
Spotless Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Saturday May 12 at 1:45pm
FB: Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
HB: Aidan Corr, Jeremy Finlayson, Lachie Whitfield
C: Sam Reid, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto
HF: Daniel Lloyd, Harry Himmelberg, Dylan Shiel
FF: Lachie Keeffe, Jeremy Cameron, Matt de Boer
RR: Rory Lobb, Jacob Hopper, Callan Ward
Interchange: Ryan Griffen, Zac Langdon, Isaac Cumming, Adam Tomlinson
In: Rory Lobb, Jeremy Cameron, Isaac Cumming (debutant)
Out: Dylan Buckley, Jon Patton, Nick Shipley (omitted)
Emergencies: Dawson Simpson, Harry Perryman, Tim Mohr, Dylan Buckley
