Three players have been added to the GIANTS squad that will face the Western Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium on Sunday.
Tough midfielder Toby Greene comes back in on an extended interchange bench after missing last week’s game with soreness.
Utility Adam Tomlinson has been included on the seven-man bench after a standout performance in the NEAFL for the WSU GIANTS. Tomlinson had 44 touches, 13 marks, six clearances and 11 inside-50s in the reserves.
Also added to the bench is Sam Reid who has been consistently among the best in the NEAFL and was elevated from the rookie list to the senior list last month.
With the best offensive team matching up on the best defensive team, coach Leon Cameron - who will finalise his 22 tomorrow - told the media on Thursday contested ball is where the game will be won.
"They're clearly the hardest side in the competition," Cameron said.
"All 22 (players) that roll out for their footy club every week, they all put their head over the footy so it's a good trait to have.
"We’ve definitely improved, our numbers are stacking up which is great, but you want to get to Sunday afternoon knowing that you've competed in that statistic.
"We can't have that blow out to -15 or -20, we need to be level pegging or in front in that area.
"Obviously contested ball, whoever wins that probably wins the game.
"I think it's going to be a cracking game and it's one that our boys are looking forward too, because it's an opportunity to see where we're at."
The fifth-placed Bulldogs have been hit hard with injury and this week, suspensions, but Cameron has been impressed with their consistently good form.
"The personnel that they keep bringing in are doing the job," he said.
"Whether it's the first-gamer last week Bailey Williams or Jed Adcock, who is a 200-game player, they've got a really good knack of (saying) one down one in.
"We want to be able get to that stage.
"They're stepping up to the mark and they're a really, really good side.
"The way they beat Melbourne last week was just clinical and it was the same with Adelaide the week before."
While the final team is yet to be decided, Cameron did confirm young midfielder Jacob Hopper will play his second AFL game after a debut to remember last weekend when he collected 32 disposals (17 contested), nine clearances, seven inside-50s and also earned the round eight NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
The team will be named on gwsgiants.com.au at 5pm on Friday.
GWS GIANTS v Western Bulldogs
Sunday May 22, 3.20pm
Spotless Stadium
GWS GIANTS
FB: Matt Buntine, Joel Patfull, Tim Mohr
HB: Tom Scully, Nick Haynes, Heath Shaw
C: Nathan Wilson, Dylan Shiel, Josh Kelly
HF: Jonny Patton, Jeremy Cameron, Zac Williams
FF: Steve Johnson, Rory Lobb, Lachie Whitfield
RR: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio
Interchange (from): Jacob Hopper, Rhys Palmer, Toby Greene, Jack Steele, Adam Kennedy, Adam Tomlinson, Sam Reid
In: Toby Greene, Adam Tomlinson, Sam Reid
Out: -
