Adam Kingsley has named a 26-man squad ahead of Sunday’s opening round fixture, with the squad to be trimmed to 22 at 5pm on Friday.
Superstar forward Toby Greene will lead the side out as sole captain for the first time with vice-captains Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly named to take up their usual roles in the midfield.
They’re joined by emerging stars Tom Green and Finn Callaghan, who both recently extended their contracts with the club.
Harry Himmelberg, who has been training as a forward all summer, has been named at centre-half forward.
Xavier O’Halloran was unavailable for selection after recently injuring his quad, which will see him sidelined for several weeks.
Also unavailable is ruck Braydon Preuss who is consulting a surgeon following the recent emergence of back pain related to a previous injury.
Preuss is continuing to be assessed by the club’s medical team with a timeline on his return to be confirmed following the consultations.
Matt Flynn has been named in the ruck while second-year players Jacob Wehr and Leek Aleer have both cemented spots in the opening round line-up.
Sunday’s game could see up to two long-awaited returns with Brent Daniels and Jack Buckley both named on the extended interchange.
If selected, it will be Daniels’ first game since round 21, 2021 and Buckley’s first since round 16, 2021.
The duo have been named on an extended bench alongside Nick Haynes, Cooper Hamilton, Harry Perryman, Adam Kennedy, Conor Stone and James Peatling.
The final team will be named on gwsgiants.com.au at 5pm on Friday.
Don’t miss Sunday’s opening round clash against the Crows at GIANTS Stadium! Sneaky Sound System will perform live pre-game and at half-time, kids go free and there’s $2 hot chips (while stock lasts, max of two per transaction). Tickets at Ticketmaster.
Match Information
GIANTS v Crows
Sunday, March 19 at 1:10pm
Wangal Country | GIANTS Stadium
Gates open at 12:10pm
Squad
FB: Connor Idun, Sam Taylor, Isaac Cumming
HB: Lachie Whitfield, Leek Aleer, Lachie Ash
C: Finn Callaghan, Tom Green, Jacob Wehr
HF: Callan Ward, Harry Himmelberg, Daniel Lloyd
FF: Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Jake Riccardi
RR: Matt Flynn, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio
Interchange (from): Nick Haynes, Jack Buckley, Cooper Hamilton, Brent Daniels, Harry Perryman, Adam Kennedy, Conor Stone, James Peatling
