Nineteen-year-old Jake Barrett will become the third GIANTS debutant this season when he lines up against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Barrett came through the PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy and was taken in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft as an NSW-ACT priority zone selection.
Originally from Temora in the Riverina, Barrett is the first cousin of Hawthorn forward Luke Breust and second cousin of NRL great Trent Barrett.
The tough midfielder comes into the team on the back of an outstanding season in the NEAFL where he averaged nearly 30 possessions and seven tackles a game and was named in the NEAFL Team of the Year.
He’s one of five inclusions into the GIANTS' squad of 25 with Jacob Townsend, Jack Steele, Rory Lobb and Paul Ahern also named on an extended interchange bench.
Ryan Griffen (knee) and Stephen Coniglio (hamstring) will miss the round 23 match due to injury.
Coach Leon Cameron said Barrett deserves his opportunity:
“It’s great to see Jake get named. It reinforces that the academy system is working,” Cameron said.
"He’s come from a different background in terms of Rugby League into AFL through the PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy and we’re rapt with the way he’s progressing and he really deserves his chance on Sunday.
With the GIANTS aiming for their 12th win of the season, Cameron said it’s big game for the club.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us to finish the season on a good note. We need to make sure we are ready to go on Sunday and play the game out for a full 120 minutes.
“There’s a lot of talk that some of these games don’t mean anything because they are dead rubbers but it means a hell of a lot to us as every game our kids get to play is fantastic, but also ever game we play is a chance for us to win another one."
GWS GIANTS v Melbourne
Sunday September 6, 1.10pm
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
GWS GIANTS
FB: Adam Kennedy, Caleb Marchbank, Zac Williams
HB: Lachie Plowman, Aidan Corr, James Stewart
C: Lachie Whitfield, Adam Treloar, Heath Shaw
HF: Devon Smith, Cam McCarthy, Rhys Palmer
FF: Josh Kelly, Jeremy Cameron, Adam Tomlinson
R: Tom Downie, Callan Ward, Tommy Bugg
Interchange (from): Nathan Wilson, Toby Greene, Jacob Townsend, Jack Steele, Jake Barrett, Rory Lobb, Paul Ahern
In: Jake Barrett, Jacob Townsend, Jack Steele, Rory Lobb, Paul Ahern
Out: Ryan Griffen (knee), Stephen Coniglio (hamstring)
The final team will be named on gwsgiants.com.au at 5pm on Friday
