Rory Lobb will lead the GIANTS ruck in their round one clash against the Western Bulldogs at UNSW Canberra Oval.
Lobb has been chosen ahead of fellow ruckman Dawson Simpson as the GIANTS named their final 22 for Sunday afternoon’s blockbuster.
Lobb’s selection follows an injury-interrupted pre-season for the 25-year but a strong performance for the GIANTS’ Reserves a fortnight ago and a solid block of training has seen the West Australian given the nod by coach Leon Cameron.
“It was a really tough decision in match committee as Dawson Simpson has put in a terrific summer on the track.
“Both guys have developed a really good connection with our midfielders but Lobby will get
“Rory’s last six weeks of training and been really impressive, he did what was asked of him in the practice match a fortnight ago and is ready to go for Sunday.”
The 207cm West Australian is no stranger to the role of leading the ruck with Lobb finishing the 2017 season as ruck due to injury making Shane Mumford unavailable.
Following Mumford’s off-season retirement, Lobb will be looking to continue his impressive form from the semi and preliminary final which saw him average 35 hit outs per game.
After being named on an extended interchange bench on Thursday night, Western Sydney teenager Nick Shipley, top draft pick Aiden Bonar, former Collingwood big man Lachie Keeffe and Simpson are listed as the emergencies for Sunday.
Cameron said he’s looking forward to getting the season underway in Canberra.
“It’s a great deck at UNSW Canberra Oval and our group has a good routine around playing down there.
“We’ve had wonderful support from the Canberra community in recent years and are looking forward to that continuing on Sunday.”
GIANTS v Western Bulldogs
Sunday, March 25 1.10pm, UNSW Canberra Oval
FB: Heath Shaw, Phil Davis, Sam Reid
HB: Aidan Corr, Nick Haynes, Adam Tomlinson
C: Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy Finlayson
HF: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Tim Taranto
FF: Matt de Boer, Harry Himmelberg, Josh Kelly
R: Jonathon Patton, Dylan Shiel, Callan Ward
Interchange (from): Rory Lobb, Brett Deledio, Daniel Lloyd, Zac Langdon
