The GIANTS will have two first-gamers when they face North Melbourne at Spotless Stadium on Saturday with midfielder Jack Steele and defender Caleb Marchbank to both make their AFL debuts.
The pair arrived at the GIANTS late in 2014 - Steele following the Academy Bidding process and Marchbank through the NAB AFL Draft - and will be the club’s first debutants of the year after strong NEAFL form.
Steele, 19 from Canberra, came through the PM Capital GIANTS Academy and was selected by the club with pick 24 in the NAB AFL Draft.
Ironically, it was the Kangaroos who forced the GIANTS to use their second-round pick on Steele after North Melbourne bid their first-round pick 15 on the hard-bodied midfielder.
“Jack will probably play forward and midfield as well, he’s been playing that role at NEAFL level,” said coach Leon Cameron.
“He’s been playing some tough on-ball footy for probably six or eight weeks now.
“He’s a real competitor so really wherever he lines up, it doesn’t matter, you know he’s going to put his head over the footy and tackle really hard and that’s what we want to be known for.”
At 187cm and 86kg, Steele is a powerful midfielder/forward who has shown excellent poise and balance so far this year in the NEAFL.
Steele got an early taste of senior football this season, playing two NAB Challenge games including an 11-possession, two-goal performance against Essendon.
He’s had a string of best on ground performances for the UWS GIANTS and has been named an emergency for the AFL side five times this season.
Click play on the video above to watch Jack and Caleb told they are going to play their first AFL games
Marchbank arrived at the GIANTS with pick six in the Draft - the selection the GIANTS received from the Western Bulldogs, along with Ryan Griffen, in exchange for Tom Boyd.
Standing 194cm tall and already weighing 90kg at just 18 years-old, Marchbank is a key defender from Benalla in country Victoria.
The youngest player on the GIANTS’ list, Marchbank will be one of the replacements for the oldest player on the GIANTS list, Joel Patfull, with the pair also sharing a birthday.
“Caleb’s been playing a key back post for the last eight weeks, whether he’s been that second tall or third tall,” Cameron said.
“He’s a terrific young kid, he’s got a really competitive attitude. He likes to fly for his marks, he spoils really well. He’s very courageous in the air and his performances have been getting better and better.
“Bringing in these two young kids that are competitive players, can hopefully help us with that contested ball.”
Marchbank had an injury-interrupted pre-season but has played every NEAFL game this year and was named in the best players during the UWS GIANTS’ win last weekend.
The GIANTS will be without ruckman Shane Mumford (ankle), defenders Phil Davis (ankle) and Joel Patfull (ribs) and midfielder Stephen Conilgio (shoulder) after all were ruled out of this weekend’s game on Tuesday.
The GIANTS play North Melbourne at Spotless Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday at 4.35pm with family passes starting from just $48. CLICK HERE to get your tickets now.
