The GIANTS have made no changes to their line-up for this Saturday’s preliminary final against the Tigers, opting to stick with the same 22 who defeated the Eagles by 67 points.
The GIANTS will go in unchanged for one of the only times this season with several players unlucky to miss this week’s match.
“I think match committee all thought that the 22 (last week) played their role,” said coach Leon Cameron.
“We feel as though that stability going into the next week was important so we haven’t made a change.
“With that, there’s some unlucky guys but we feel as though the 22 that go in on Saturday are the ones that can get the job done for us.
“That’s not to say the guys who missed out couldn’t, just only 22 can fit in. Guys like Sam Reid, Devon Smith and Harry Perryman are unlucky but will become our emergencies.”
The unchanged line-up means veteran Steve Johnson will line up for his 26th final after a six-goal haul in the semi-final.
“Steve’s ready to roll, he pulled up well today,” Cameron said.
“There’s still another day to go, we have pulled him out late before but we’re confident he can get the job done this week.”
Cameron said he was confident in his 22 however with a medium chance of showers predicated for the MCG on Saturday, and the risk of a late-afternoon thunderstorm, that could force a late change.
“We’re pretty set on our 22 but there’s circumstances that could change that and that could be if it does become quite damp but we’ll look at that on Saturday.”
Former Tiger Brett Deledio will line up for his 250th game, with the number one draft pick from 2004 playing 243 games in the yellow and black before making the move to the GIANTS at the end of last season.
“It’s obviously a great effort to reach 250 games,” Cameron said.
“Brett would be the first one to say that it’s obviously a significant milestone but it’s insignificant compared to the magnitude of the game that we’re playing in.
“He just wants to get out there and play and do the best he possibly can. He’ll have some mixed feelings at time but there’s no doubt when the ball bounces he’ll knuckle down and get the job done.”
A sold-out MCG and a predominately Tigers crowd will greet the GIANTS on Saturday afternoon but the coach said his side won’t be intimidated by the prospect.
“This is what you play football for,” he said.
“We’re the ones who can control how we feel and we go down there fully prepared, we understand there’s going to be a lot more noise but I’d be disappointed in our players if we turn around and say that the noise was the issue.
“You’ve still got to get the footy, the ground’s still a similar size to every other ground and we’re confident our boys can deal with it.
“There’s lots of excitement. A lot of these guys grow up wanting to play in a preliminary final on the MCG so we get the opportunity on Saturday.”
Saturday afternoon’s game will be shown LIVE on 7mate across NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy all around Australia from 4:30pm.
If you’re in Melbourne, head to the Imperial Hotel for a pre-match function from 1:30pm or if you’re closer to home, join your fellow GIANTS fans at a supporter group or supporter venue.
Preliminary Final
Richmond Tigers v GIANTS
Saturday September 23, 4:45pm
MCG
GIANTS
FB: Zac Williams, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
HB: Nick Haynes, Adam Tomlinson, Nathan Wilson
C: Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto
HF: Matt de Boer, Harry Himmelberg, Tom Scully
FF: Steve Johnson, Jonny Patton, Brett Deledio
RR: Rory Lobb, Jacob Hopper, Josh Kelly
Interchange: Aidan Corr, Lachie Whitfield, Toby Greene, Callan Ward
No change
Emergencies: Devon Smith, Harry Perryman, Sam Reid
TIGERS
FB: Brandon Ellis, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes
HB: Bachar Houli, David Astbury, Nick Vlaustin
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Trent Cotchin, Jacob Townsend
HF: Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin, Josh Caddy
FF: Dan Butler, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
RR: Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Shaun Grigg
Interchange: Shane Edwards, Jack Graham, Nathan Broad, Jason Castagna
No change
Emergencies: Shaun Hampson, Shai Bolton, Corey Ellis
