Vice-captain Stephen Conglio and emerging defender Isaac Cumming have been recalled to the GIANTS starting 22 to play Melbourne on Sunday.
Coniglio returns to the line-up for the clash at the MCG, having recovered from a finger injury that sidelined him for last week’s win over Carlton.
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“It is pleasing as he’s an integral part of the team, he trained well and ticked all the boxes, he’s ready to play,” GIANTS Head Coach Leon Cameron said.
“They’ve got a really good midfield as we know so that midfield battle is so important this week, adding Stephen to that mix is good for us.”
Cumming returns for his second game of the season having played three weeks ago in the GIANTS’ win over St Kilda in Canberra.
The 20-year-old was amongst the GIANTS’ best in their NEAFL win over Southport last Sunday, collecting 27 disposals, taking eight marks and kicking a goal.
“He’s really working on his game, he’s three years into his career at our footy club and he’s really progressing,” Cameron said.
“I really like the way he’s going about it, e’s defending really well. He’s using the ball well and he’s got really good speed.
“He deserves this opportunity; we look forward to it and what better an opportunity than to play at the MCG on Sunday.”
As announced on Thursday evening, Zac Williams will miss Sunday afternoon’s game with a hamstring injury, while recently re-signed forward Daniel Lloyd has been omitted.
Meanwhile, Cameron expects a tough contest against Melbourne who, despite sitting 15th on the ladder, have been in finding form of late.
“They’ve just had two really good wins out of their last three games,” he said.
“Clearly they’re playing a really good brand of footy, they probably would have won last Friday night had shots on goal been straight.
“When they play their brand of footy they’re elite and we’re under no illusions, it’s a huge game for us and a huge game for them.”
The GIANTS’ clash with the Demons on Sunday afternoon will be shown live on 7mate in New South Wales and the ACT, and on Fox Footy around Australia.
If you’re in Melbourne for the match sure you head to the GIANTS’ pre-match function and march of the GIANTS before the game, click here for more.
Round 10
Melbourne v GIANTS
Sunday, May 26 at 1:10pm
MCG
FB: Adam Kennedy, Phil Davis, Nick Haynes
HB: Heath Shaw, Sam Taylor, Brett Deledio
C: Brent Daniels, Harry Perryman, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Matt de Boer, Harry Himmelberg, Toby Greene
FF: Jeremy Finlayson, Jeremy Cameron, Sam Reid
RR: Shane Mumford, Tim Taranto, Josh Kelly
Interchange: Adam Tomlinson, Jacob Hopper, Stephen Coniglio, Isaac Cumming
Emergencies: Daniel Lloyd, Daswon Simpson, Jackson Hately, Lachlan Keeffe
In: Stephen Coniglio, Isaac Cumming
Out: Zac Williams (hamstring), Daniel Lloyd (omitted)
