Young forward Kristian Jaksch will become the seventh GIANTS player to make his debut this season when he plays against Richmond this Sunday at ŠKODA Stadium.
Recruited from the Oakleigh Chargers in Victoria, the 18-year-old was drafted with selection 12 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.
Jaksch has played the majority of the NEAFL season as a forward for the UWS GIANTS and will be the 45th GIANT to senior football this season.
Jaksch is one of four additions to the GIANTS 25-man squad with midfielder Taylor Adams returning to the team after missing the match against Brisbane with a back injury.
Defender Sam Darley and midfielder Dom Tyson have been added to an extended interchange bench while defender Stephen Gilham has been omitted.
Head Coach Kevin Sheedy says Jaksch has done well to fight his way into the team following minor knee surgery earlier this season.
“His form in the last month for the UWS GIANTS has been outstanding, and he’ll play a key role in our forward line this weekend,” said Sheedy.
“We’re really looking forward to bouncing back after a tough fortnight on the road and it’ll be great to come up against the mighty Tigers ahead of their run into the finals.”
GIANTS players will wear a special commemorative jumper against Richmond to mark Kevin Sheedy’s final match as Head Coach in Sydney, and both teams will form a guard of honour for Sheedy at the end of the match as he walks off ŠKODA Stadium for the last time.
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews said the match was an opportunity for all sporting fans to thank Sheedy for helping build the club in Western Sydney and Canberra.
“We want this to be a celebration for Kevin and a fitting conclusion in Sydney for a person who has done so much to put the GIANTS on the map,” said Matthews.
“It is appropriate we are playing Richmond where his career began 46 years ago and we want to see as many AFL and sports fans get along and help fill ŠKODA Stadium to thank him for what he has done.”
The GIANTS play Richmond at ŠKODA Stadium this Sunday, August 25 at 3.20pm. The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7Mate in NSW.
Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com.au/giants
