Brett Deledio will return to the GIANTS line-up for the first time since round six when the GIANTS take on Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon at the Adelaide Oval.
The 256 gamer has been sidelined with calf and hamstring injuries but after a successful return in the
“It’s really pleasing to have him back, obviously he’s had a 10-week layoff and then he’s had a NEAFL game,” GIANTS head coach Leon Cameron said.
“He played some really good footy and it’s exciting because he was playing some of the best footy he’d played for a few years before he got injured.
“It might take a week or two for him to get back to that quality but he’s trained really well this week and pulled up well from last week.
“He’ll come in and offer something really positive playing in the midfield and forward for us.”
Deledio comes into the starting 22 for fellow veteran Ryan Griffen, who misses the game due to hamstring soreness.
Cameron said while he’d prefer to have both Deledio and Griffen in the side it’s handy to be able to replace experience with experience.
“I’d like to keep them both in instead of one in, one out but they were the same draft year and played a lot of footy so it is good to have one guy that’s played 250 odd games go out injured and one that’s played 250 odd games come in,” he said.
“It’s disappointing that we’ve lost Ryan but hopefully it’s only a week, he’s been terrific at leading a young forward line and playing that forward role.
“Griffen’s probably played more forward but Deledio will be able to play in two parts of the ground.”
The GIANTS take on a Port Adelaide side that is looking to move into the top four and Cameron is under no illusions that his GIANTS will be in for a tough challenge as they look to stay inside the top eight.
“It’s hard to win at the Adelaide Oval, they’ve had a great record there and it’s only Geelong that’s won there this year,” he said.
“They’ve had some big scalps there and it’s a big challenge for us to see if we can get the job done.
“It’s going to be one of those games that
Port Adelaide v GIANTS
Sunday, July 22 at
Adelaide Oval
FB: Nick Haynes, Sam Taylor, Heath Shaw
HB: Sam Reid, Phil Davis, Aidan Corr
C: Adam Kennedy, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto
HF: Adam Tomlinson, Harry Himmelberg, Josh Kelly
FF: Toby Greene, Rory Lobb, Dylan Shiel
RR: Dawson Simpson, Jacob Hopper, Callan Ward
Interchange (from): Zac Langdon, Brett Deledio, Brent Daniels, Lachie Whitfield
Emergencies: Aiden Bonar, Lachlan Keeffe, Matt Buntine, Daniel Lloyd
In: Brett Deledio
Out: Ryan Griffen (hamstring)
