Forward Matt de Boer and utility Harry Himmelberg have been re-called to the GIANTS line-up to take on the Crows in the first Qualifying Final on Thursday night.
Veteran Steve Johnson has been omitted while forward Devon Smith will miss the match with knee soreness.
“It was a difficult week at selection,” said coach Leon Cameron.
“It was a big decision on Steve Johnson but he’d be the first to admit that the last few weeks, his body and form probably hasn’t been to the level that he wants it to be.
“It was a big decision for the club but one he’s been absolutely outstanding at in taking.
“He’s been on the front foot to say he wants to play in Friday’s game and wants to win back his spot which I just think is fantastic for a player of his ilk and what he’s achieved.”
Johnson will play with the GIANTS Reserves in their trial match at Football Park on Friday morning against the Crows’ Reserves side.
“Devon Smith is just struggling with his knee a bit at the moment. Hopefully if we give him another week off, he might be ready for the week after that.”
De Boer missed the round 23 match against Geelong but has played 12 games for the season since arriving from Fremantle at the end of 2016.
Himmelberg comes back in for his 10th game this season with the 21-year-old recently signing a new two-year contract with the club.
“It was obviously a big decision on Steve but in saying that, Matt de Boer has been in really good form in the front end and he gets his opportunity,” Cameron said.
“Harry Himmelberg is going to play some roles down back but also up forward and through the midfield as well, he gives us that flexibility.”
Cameron is well aware of the task facing his side when they travel to Adelaide Oval with a home Preliminary Final the prize for the victor.
“It’s a huge game, you don’t want to mess around in finals,” he said.
“Adelaide pose a huge threat to us. They ended on top for a reason, because they’re the best team in the competition.
“To be totally honest, they’ve had the wood on us either at our ground or particularly over there at Adelaide Oval. We know we’re up against it but it’s one we really look forward to.”
The coach believes his side has used the time between the final round of the season and the start of the finals series well, using it to put some new things into practice.
Cameron recalled last year’s Qualifying Final where the GIANTS swamped the Swans in the second half to earn their first-ever finals victory and a home final in week three.
“12 days off is interesting,” he said.
“Obviously last year in finals, the footy in the first week was pretty good. In fact, the footy that was played by all teams was cracking so no doubt there’s every opportunity for that to happen again.
“We feel as though we’ve handled it pretty well. You’ve got the opportunity to train a little bit more, a little bit harder because you’ve got the longer rest and probably rehearse a number of things that has really helped us.
“Time will tell. We’re confident, we did it last year so we expect to do it again this year.”
In other news, the Crows have confirmed that vice-captain Rory Sloane will miss Thursday night's clash after failing to recover from surgery to remove his appendix last week. Full team below.
The GIANTS take on the Crows to kick off the 2017 Toyota AFL Finals Series on Thursday night at Adelaide Oval. The game will be shown LIVE in Channel 7 in NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy nationally.
Qualifying Final
Adelaide Crows v GIANTS
Thursday, September 7 at 7:50pm EST
Adelaide Oval
GIANTS
FB: Adam Tomlinson, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
HB: Nathan Wilson, Aidan Corr, Brett Deledio
C: Lachie Whitfield, Callan Ward, Tom Scully
HF: Josh Kelly, Jeremy Cameron, Rory Lobb
FF: Toby Greene, Jonny Patton, Matt de Boer
RR: Shane Mumford, Stephen Coniglio, Jacob Hopper
Interchange: Nick Haynes, Harry Himmelberg, Zac Williams, Dylan Shiel
In: Matt de Boer, Harry Himmelberg
Out: Steve Johnson (omitted), Devon Smith (knee)
Emergencies: Tim Taranto, Steve Johnson, Harry Perryman
CROWS
FB: Rory Laird, Daniel Talia, Luke Brown
HB: Jake Kelly, Kyle Hartigan, David Mackay
C: Brodie Smith, Brad Crouch, Rory Atkins
HF: Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Charlie Cameron
FF: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern
RR: Sam Jacobs, Richard Douglas, Matt Crouch
Interchange: Riley Knight, Jake Lever, Hugh Greenwood, Paul Seedsman
In: Daniel Talia, Taylor Walker, Hugh Greenwood
Out: Rory Sloane (illness), Wayne Milera, Alex Keath (omitted)
Emergencies: Scott Thompson, Andy Otten, Wayne Milera
