Veteran Ryan Griffen is back in the GIANTS line up as one of two changes for Saturday night’s
Griffen returns from a hamstring injury for vice-captain Josh Kelly, who hasn’t been able to overcome a knee problem that saw him miss the final
“Josh Kelly’s not going to play with his knee after the incident in the first quarter last week against the Swans,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“We gave him until Thursday to see how he would be progressing, he’s a good chance to play next week but we’re not going to take him in against Collingwood.
“We toyed with the prospect of bringing Ryan in last week, but we thought he needed another week.
“He’s had a good three
“He’s a finals player, he’s played in big finals, so he knows what that MCG atmosphere is like, so he’ll come in and play his role and we look forward to that and no doubt he does as well.”
Former Magpie Lachie Keeffe also returns to the GIANTS side for his eighth game of the season, replacing defender Harry Perryman.
“He’s played some good footy for us this year and he’s been fantastic for us in his second stint at an AFL footy club,” Cameron said.
“He’s the ultimate role player, he defends tight and he’ll take up a key position post down there.
“The boys love having him in the team, he does everything for his teammates and that’s all we can ask.”
Cameron has no doubt his side will face a hostile MCG on Saturday night with a huge crowd expected for the crucial clash.
“It’s a great opportunity again, we know we’re going to play against a fantastic footy team and a huge crowd,” Cameron said.
“That’s not going to worry our boys at all, in
“The challenge is on the field and we know we’re coming up against an A-grade team who finished in the top four because they won a lot of games and played some great footy.”
The winner will face Richmond in a Preliminary Final at the MCG next Friday night.
Collingwood v GIANTS
Saturday, September 15 at
MCG
FB: Zac Williams, Phil Davis, Adam Kennedy
HB: Nick Haynes, Adam Tomlinson, Matt Buntine
C: Sam Reid, Callan Ward, Matt de Boer
HF: Dylan Shiel, Harry Himmelberg, Brett Deledio
FF: Tim Taranto, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene
RR: Rory Lobb, Stephen Coniglio, Jacob Hopper
Interchange: Ryan Griffen, Lachie Keeffe, Lachie Whitfield, Zac Langdon
In: Ryan Griffen, Lachie Keeffe
Out: Josh Kelly (Knee), Harry Perryman (Omitted)
Emergencies: Aiden Bonar, Isaac Cumming, Harry Perryman, Daniel Lloyd
