The WSU GIANTS have named their side to take on Sydney University in a NEAFL Preliminary Final on Saturday at Blacktown.
For the first time in history the GIANTS’ NEAFL side faced a selection dilemma with 18 players available for selection and just 15 listed players allowed to take the field in the final under NEAFL rules.
“It helps when your senior team is playing finals as well. It provides a headache for the coaches in match committee but it’s a really good problem to have because it means your list is fit,” said NEAFL coach Brad Miller.
“Guys are unfortunately going to have to miss out on out game because we have 18 players available.
“We’ve had to tell three boys they’ll miss out which is really hard news for them to take but they’ll respond should we be able to get through to the following week.”
Youngsters Matt Flynn, Pat McKenna and Jake Barrett are the unlucky ones to miss out, with the trio named as emergencies for this match.
The WSU GIANTS will go into the clash with a wealth of experience as they aim for a berth in their first-ever NEAFL Grand Final.
Experienced AFL players Aidan Corr (36 games), Tim Mohr (45 games), Matt Buntine (39 games) and Adam Kennedy (76 games) will line up across the back line, supported by draftee Harrison Himmelberg who has played four AFL games this season.
Rhys Palmer, Jack Steele, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Matt Kennedy, who have all seen senior action this year, have been named through the middle.
Big bodied ruckman Dawson Simpson has been named in the centre along with Jeremy Finlayson whose game has gone from strength to strength in 2016.
Up forward the GIANTS will be ably served by James Stewart (27 goals in NEAFL this year), Sam Reid (26 goals) and Daniel Lloyd (16 goals) along with ruckman Tom Downie who has been in strong form.
Miller believes the strength of the side will be the lure of trying to secure a senior spot in the GIANTS’ first Qualifying Final against the Swans at ANZ Stadium on September 10.
“It’s a fair carrot to dangle in front of a young player, to play a senior game of AFL finals so that’s what they’re striving towards and for those guys to still have that possibility,” Miller said.
“I think definitely changes the whole dynamic of the team and the whole list is buzzing with both teams in finals.
“They’ll be putting their hand up to play senior footy the following week so they’ll want to be at their best.”
With the WSU GIANTS having the maximum number of listed players playing, there will be seven GIANTS Academy players rounding out the 22.
Harrison Macreadie, Jack Powell, Sam Fisher, Lucas Meline, Connor Owen-Auburn, Brandon Clark and Connor Byrne have all been regulars in the NEAFL side this year and will get their taste of finals football on Saturday.
“It’s exciting for our guys, they’ve worked really hard to get to this position,” Miller said.
“It’s a high-pressure game obviously, stepping up a notch with the intensity, so it will be a really good challenge.
“We really respect Sydney University as an opposition and no doubt we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them.”
The WSU GIANTS take on Sydney University at Blacktown International Sportspark at 2.15pm on Saturday with the winner to go through to the NEAFL Grand Final the following week.
Preliminary Final
WSU GIANTS v Sydney University
Saturday September 3, 2.15pm
Blacktown International Sportspark
WSU GIANTS
FB: Aidan Corr, Tim Mohr, Harrison Macreadie
HB: Harrison Himmelberg, Matt Buntine, Adam Kennedy
C: Jeremy Finlayson, Rhys Palmer, Will Hoskin-Elliott
HF: Sam Reid, James Stewart, Daniel Lloyd
FF: Jack Powell, Tom Downie, Sam Fisher
RR: Dawson Simpson, Matt Kennedy, Jack Steele
Interchange: Lucas Meline, Connor Owen-Auburn, Brandon Clark, Connor Byrne
Emergencies: Matthew Flynn, Pat McKenna, Jake Barrett
Meet our GIANTS Academy Players:
47. Harrison Macreadie
Macreadie is an AFL Academy member who is from Henty in NSW and has played seven games for the WSU GIANTS this year as a defender.
46. Connor Byrne
Byrne, from Wagga Wagga, represented the NSW/ACT Rams at the Under-18 National Championships and has played nine NEAFL games this year. He is a small midfielder/forward who can run all day and tackles well.
45. Sam Fisher
Fisher, from Canberra, represented the NSW/ACT Rams this year at the Under-18 National Championships, represented the Allies and has been invited to the National Draft Combine. He plays as a small/medium forward and has played five games with the WSU GIANTS this season.
49. Brandon Clark
Clarke is from Western Sydney and is a small forward who applies pressure well and tackles with vigour. He has played 11 games with the WSU GIANTS this year.
52. Connor Owen-Auburn
Owen-Auburn is from Western Sydney and plays on the wing but can play back and forward as well. He has played 12 games for the WSU GIANTS this season.
53. Jack Powell
Powell is a 17-year-old from Canberra who has played five games for the WSU GIANTS this year. He is a member of the AFL Academy and plays as a small midfielder/forward who knows how to find the ball.
54. Lucas Meline
Meline is from Canberra and has played eight games with the WSU GIANTS this season. He is a reliable defender who has adapted to the GIANTS’ game plan well.
Click here from 2.15pm on Saturday to watch the Preliminary Final live
