The GIANTS have added three to their squad to face the Swans at Spotless Stadium on Sunday in Sydney Derby X.
As revealed earlier on Thursday, forward Sam Reid will play in one of the GIANTS’ biggest ever games in his return to AFL football after 1072 days.
Reid is a confirmed starter for Sunday’s Derby while veteran Ryan Griffen and ruckman Tom Downie have been added to an extended interchange bench.
“It’s a great example of persistence, his form’s been very good in the NEAFL,” said coach Leon Cameron of Reid.
“He bring energy, we’re rapt he’s been given an opportunity. It’s a popular choice.”
Reid’s return is a remarkable story after he retired from the game at the end of 2013 from persistent injuries.
He worked as a Development Coach at the GIANTS over the past two years, playing in the NEAFL side, and was shocked when Leon Cameron offered him a rookie list spot for the 2016 season.
Midfielder Ryan Griffen could return after missing the past six weeks with a small fracture in his back.
The 228-game veteran would be a valuable injection of experience if named in the final side on Friday afternoon.
Ruckman Tom Downie has also been added to the 25-man squad and could be in line to play his first game of the year.
Downie was amongst the best for the WSU GIANTS when they faced the NT Thunder in Darwin last Saturday and has overcome a slow start to the year to put his name forward for senior selection.
After two losses in a row on the road the GIANTS have slipped to sixth spot on the AFL ladder and know the stakes are high as the side faces one of the biggest tests in the League.
"We don't want to lose three in a row any day of the week,” Vice-captain Heath Shaw told the media on Thursday.
"The stakes are huge for us, we want to keep in touch with the top four and we need to win against quality opposition.
"Our last three weeks have been against quality opposition and we've done ok, but we haven't got three wins.
"We need to lift our game this week and perform on the big stage."
There are no confirmed outs at this stage with the final 22 to be named on gwsgiants.com.au at 5pm on Friday.
The GIANTS take on the Swans in the 10th instalment of the Sydney Derby and the GIANTS’ 100th AFL match on Sunday afternoon at Spotless Stadium.
GWS GIANTS
FB: Joel Patfull, Phil Davis, Matt Buntine
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Haynes, Lachie Whitfield
C: Zac Williams, Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully
HF: Jonathon Patton, Jeremy Cameron, Steve Johnson
FF: Toby Greene, Rory Lobb, Sam Reid
RR: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio
Interchange (from): Jacob Hopper, Jack Steele, Nathan Wilson, Adam Tomlinson, Josh Kelly, Ryan Griffen, Tom Downie
In: Sam Reid, Ryan Griffen, Tom Downie
Out: -
The GIANTS take on the Swans in their 100th AFL match and Sydney Derby X at Spotless Stadium on Sunday at 4.40pm. There are limited standing room tickets remaining, click here for more.
