Draftee Nick Shipley will become the 85th player to pull on the orange and charcoal when he makes his AFL debut for the GIANTS in Saturday’s clash with Brisbane at Spotless Stadium.
Zac Langdon also returns for his first game since round two, with the 22-year-old forward back after three weeks on the sidelines with a hand injury.
Shipley and Langdon come in for Dawson Simpson (omitted) and Toby Greene (foot) as the GIANTS return to Spotless Stadium for the first time in 2018.
GIANTS coach Leon Cameron said he’s looking forward to seeing how Campbelltown product Shipley performs after impressing since becoming a GIANT as an academy selection at pick 64 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft.
“His pre-season was really rock-solid and then he played a couple of JLT games that probably surprised us a little bit,” he said.
“He’s been in good form at NEAFL level and he’s been an emergency the last few weeks, so he thoroughly deserves his opportunity.
“It’s just a great story for him to fast-track his development to be playing in round six of his first year is quite extraordinary.
“He’s a good, diligent kid, he works hard, and he’ll give everything he’s got so in terms of effort; he’s not going to leave anything in the tank on Saturday and we look forward to seeing how he plays.”
Zac Langdon is a welcome addition to the GIANTS forward line with the 22-year-old kicking three goals in his first two games after debuting in round one.
While his ability to impact the scoreboard is
“He’s another young fella who’s come in via the draft and had an impact in his first two games,” he said.
“Clearly we’ve missed him at the drop of the ball and his speed and ability to put pressure on.
“He comes back in to do that and he’s rehabbed really, really well and we look forward to him giving some bite up in our front half.”
The loss of Greene is a blow for the GIANTS with the mercurial forward having returned to the team in round four after two weeks out.
“It’s not ideal to have Toby miss out with a foot injury, but with Zac Langdon back and the likes of de Boer and Lloyd playing well, we’ll be able to cover him,” Cameron said.
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While the Lions come into Saturday’s clash without a win, Cameron and the GIANTS aren’t underestimating the young side.
“Realistically the Lions should be at least 2-3 or 3-2, either
“They’re a young team but jeez, they’re a really hard team and move the ball really well.
“They win contested ball and their stoppage work is really just outstanding.
“They’ve got quality everywhere, on every line, they’re building a really good young team and we’ve got a huge challenge against them.”
Saturday’s game sees the GIANTS return to Spotless Stadium for the first time since their
Cameron said the GIANTS are excited to be back playing at Spotless, with the club winning 13 of their last 18 matches at their home ground.
“Every year it’s something we look forward to, getting back there and the guys love playing there, and we look forward to having our supporters coming out to watch us on Saturday afternoon,” he said.
“With Nick Shipley playing and being a Western Sydney boy, we hope there’ll be a lot of friends and family of the Shipley clan, it’s a new beginning for all of them as well.”
GIANTS v Lions
Spotless Stadium
Saturday, April 28
FB: Jeremy Finlayson, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
HB: Aidan Corr, Nick Haynes, Jacob Hopper
C: Lachie Whitfield, Dylan Shiel, Nick Shipley
HF: Sam Reid, Jeremy Cameron, Matt de Boer
FF Stephen Coniglio, Adam Tomlinson, Brett Deledio
Ruck: Jon Patton, Callan Ward, Tim Taranto
Interchange: Daniel Lloyd, Zac Langdon, Harry Himmelberg, Ryan Griffen
Emergencies: Aiden Bonar, Isaac Cumming, Lachlan Keeffe, Dylan Buckley
