Number two draft pick Tim Taranto returns to the GIANTS side to play in prime time on Friday night at UNSW Canberra Oval against the Western Bulldogs.
The 19-year-old was rested from all football last weekend with coach Leon Cameron cautious of overloading the youngster in just his first season.
Taranto played the opening four games of the season, averaging almost 15 touches and three tackles a game.
“We needed to probably give him a spell,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“He had seven or eight games in a row, including the JLT Series, and first year it’s always tough to just keep ploughing along.
“We feel as though he’s ready to come straight back into the team and look forward to seeing what he can do on Friday night.”
WATCH: COACH'S INSIGHT WITH ALAN MCCONNELL
As revealed on Wednesday, co-captain Phil Davis will miss the club’s first ever Friday night clash with a hamstring injury Cameron described as “minor”.
With a midfielder brought in for a key defender, the coach earmarked his three talls and the versatility of his backline to cover the in-form skipper.
“We’ve been playing Adam Kennedy a little bit more on the wing so he’ll spend periods of time down there,” Cameron said.
“We’re obviously confident in the other six guys that have been playing down there as well.
“Obviously Phil going down is not ideal but we’re really confident that ‘Tommo’, ‘Haynesy’ and Aidan Corr can hold up those key positions.”
The GIANTS are set to take on the Western Bulldogs for the first time since the epic 2016 Preliminary Final at Spotless Stadium.
That game - won by the ‘Dogs with just seconds left on the clock - broke TV audience records and set in stone a growing rivalry between the two clubs.
Cameron said his side was looking forward to their first taste of prime time football.
“It’s quite unique that we get an opportunity at our home here in Canberra to play Friday night footy against the best team and the Premiers from last year,” he said.
“No doubt it’s going to be a full house and I think the experience of Friday night footy is going to be great and well-deserved for our young group.”
The GIANTS and the Western Bulldogs clash at UNSW Canberra Oval on Friday, April 28 at 7:50pm with tickets selling fast. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets now.
Round 6
GIANTS v Western Bulldogs
Friday, April 28 at 7:50pm
UNSW Canberra Oval
GIANTS Team
FB: Nathan Wilson, Adam Tomlinson, Zac Williams
HB: Adam Kennedy, Nick Haynes, Heath Shaw
C: Dylan Shiel, Josh Kelly, Steve Johnson
HF: Tim Taranto, Rory Lobb, Matt Kennedy
FF: Sam Reid, Jonny Patton, Jeremy Cameron
RR: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Tom Scully
Interchange: Toby Greene, Devon Smith, Jacob Hopper, Aidan Corr
In: Tim Taranto
Out: Phil Davis (hamstring)
Emergencies: Dawson Simpson, Harry Himmelberg, Harry Perryman
