The GIANTS have made seven changes to their side for Sunday’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round match against the West Coast Eagles at GIANTS Stadium.

23-year-old Jacob Wehr will make his AFL debut, with the South Australian to play across half-back.

The classy left foot line-breaker is a late-blooming running-defender who was part of Woodville-West Torrens premiership-winning SANFL side in 2020.

He was drafted at pick 59 in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft and has bided his time in the VFL, picking up 18 disposals and eight marks against Southport last week.

GIANTS co-captain Stephen Coniglio announced Wehr’s debut to the group on Friday.

“Everything we talk about in our values from being a good person, but also being a player who wants to develop, and a player who works his ass off every training session – pre-season, and in-season,” Coniglio said.

“He's been terrific in the VFL and we’re going to reward him this week.”

Wehr was overcome with emotion as he called his parents to tell them about his long-awaited debut.

“I’m just really excited, and a little bit overwhelmed to tell you the truth,” Wehr said.

“I’ve been here a year and a bit and been close for a while now, so I can’t really put it into words as you can probably tell. It’s still sinking in but I’m just over the moon.

“Speaking to the coaches, you just control what you can control. It’s been a long wait and I’m nowhere near a finished product, but it’s been a really good apprenticeship up until now and I feel like I’m ready to go. The VFL has held me in good stead.”

As confirmed on Thursday evening, forwards Jesse Hogan, Zach Sproule and Bobby Hill will all take on West Coast.

Also into the side is former Eagle Jarrod Brander, utility James Peatling and midfielder Tanner Bruhn.

Lachie Whitfield (ankle), Nick Haynes (illness), Conor Stone (hamstring), Finn Callaghan (shoulder), Lachlan Keeffe, Cooper Hamilton and Matt de Boer (omitted) are out of the side.

The GIANTS will proudly wear their 2022 AFL Indigenous jumper, designed by NSW artist Peter Whitton, for this weekend's Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
 
Join us at GIANTS Stadium to celebrate and acknowledge the traditional owners of our lands with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country and take part in our Indigenous art workshop in the Recruits Zone.
 
The GIANTS take on the West Coast Eagles at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday at 2:10pm.