Experienced forward Steve Johnson returns to the GIANTS side to take on the Swans in Sydney Derby XII at the SCG on Saturday night.
33-year-old Johnson has overcome the knee injury that saw him miss the GIANTS’ round four victory over Port Adelaide.
The 278-game veteran played the opening three games of the season and has kicked five goals in 2017.
Coach Leon Cameron welcomes Johnson’s inclusion in the GIANTS line-up.
“Steve Johnson’s overcome that knee injury and will play,” he said.
“He’s obviously had a few little issues over the pre-season. He started off the season ok and then his knee flared up in the Kangaroos game so we’re looking forward to bringing him back into the team.
“No doubt his experience in these sort of games is hopefully going to hold us in good stead on Saturday night.”
Johnson returns to the side in place of first-year midfielder Tim Taranto who has been rested from all football this weekend.
Cameron said the club were being cautious to get the best out of the 19-year-old, who played the opening four games of the season.
“We’re going to manage young Tim Taranto’s game time,” Cameron said.
“He’s played eight games in a row - three JLT, an intra-club and four games - so he’s just going to have a complete rest this weekend.
“Being a first-year player, we’re really rapt with the way he’s going.”
WATCH: Round 5 Coach's Insight
While the Swans are winless and sitting at 0-4 - their worst start to a season since 1975 - Cameron is preparing his side for a tough task at the SCG on Saturday night.
The Swans’ home ground is one of only a handful of venues where the GIANTS are yet to win a match, losing all four games at the venue by an average margin of 55 points.
"It's been a pretty good three weeks for us but only a month ago we were smacked by the Crows,” he said.
“It's a ruthless competition and if we're not right on Saturday the Swans will carve us up.”
While it’s an away game for the club, the GIANTS are encouraging all fans and members to get their orange on and head to the SCG to support the players on Saturday night.
Please note, this is a Swans home game with GIANTS members needing to purchase a ticket for access to this match. Click here to buy tickets.
The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 in NSW and the ACT and on Fox Footy (channel 504) nationally from 7pm.
Round 5
Sydney Swans v GIANTS
Saturday April 22, 7:25pm
Sydney Cricket Ground
TEAM
FB: Nathan Wilson, Adam Tomlinson, Aidan Corr
HB: Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
C: Josh Kelly, Callan Ward, Tom Scully
HF: Adam Kennedy, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene
FF: Devon Smith, Jonny Patton, Rory Lobb
RR: Shane Mumford, Dylan Shiel, Jacob Hopper
Interchange: Steve Johnson, Sam Reid, Matt Kennedy, Zac Williams
In: Steve Johnson
Out: Tim Taranto (rested)
Emergencies: Dawson Simpson, Harry Perryman, Daniel Lloyd
