West Australian born GIANT Gerald Ugle will make his AFL debut this weekend alongside elevated rookie Sam Frost, when the GIANTS take on Fremantle at Patersons Stadium this Sunday.
Nineteen-year-old Ugle was recruited by the GIANTS from the Perth Demons as a 17-year old priority selection in 2010.
A highly decorated AIS/AFL academy member, Ugle has spent his time at the GIANTS playing as a utility, with roles rotating across the forward line, midfield and defence.
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Earlier this week the GIANTS elevated Sam Frost from the rookie list after placing Sam Reid on the long-term injury list.
Frost was recruited from the Sandringham Dragons with the first pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
Frost and Ugle now take the total number of AFL debutants for the GIANTS this year to 33.
Kurt Aylett is also in the mix to make his AFL debut after being named on the extended seven-man bench.
Originally from Leeton, Aylett was one of the first players to sign with the GIANTS as a NSW Zone selection. Aylett had an outstanding season in the NEAFL in 2011 before unfortunately rupturing his ACL in round 19, undergoing a full knee reconstruction.
The GIANTS have also made a number of changes ahead of this Sunday’s clash, naming a further eight inclusions to the 25 man squad.
Tomas Bugg and Jonathan Giles return to the side following a week off, while Jacob Townsend makes a welcome return after breaking his jaw against Geelong in Round 10.
Josh Bruce, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Mark Whiley, Anthony Miles and Andrew Phillips have all been called into the senior side for the trip to Perth.
Stephen Coniglio and Jeremy Cameron are both expected to miss one week with back soreness, while Adam Kennedy is out sick. Taylor Adams, Devon Smith and Jonathon Patton have all been omitted, while Brogan and Cornes have been rested.
Head Coach Kevin Sheedy said that he expected this weekend to be a difficult for a young team on the big ground at Patersons Stadium but a good opportunity totest a number of young players coming into the side.
“It’s a big trip heading over to Perth and we’ve made a number of changes accordingly. We’re going to bring a team in that will freshen the club up and come back into Sydney to play the Magpies next week,” Sheedy said.
“We’ve brought in a number of our NSW boys with Whiley, Miles and Townsend named. It’s great to see Townsend making his return from injury.
“Hoskin-Elliott is a really good running player for us and Josh Bruce deserved another opportunity at senior level as he’s been in really good form in the NEAFL.
“It really is fitting that we have the opportunity to give Ugle his first game in front of his family in Perth.
“We’re under no illusions how tough this trip is going to be on our young players, but as I’ve said all along, I’m interested in seeing how each of them develop through the game.”
