Stephen Coniglio and Will Hoskin-Elliott will line up against Geelong in Canberra on Sunday with Jonathon Patton and Zac Williams also named in the 25-man squad.
Tough midfielder Coniglio and enigmatic forward Hoskin-Elliott have both been named in the starting side and will take their place for the GIANTS as the team gets ready to take on the Cats in the nation’s capital.
Patton and Williams have been named on an extended bench, which will be trimmed to the final 22 at 5pm on Friday.
At this stage, tall forward James Stewart is the only omission from the side that was defeated by Melbourne in round one.
Coach Leon Cameron is under no illusions about the challenge of facing an impressive Cats outfit, who convincingly beat the reigning premiers on Easter Monday.
“They’re a very good footy club. That game on Monday was a cracking game … That’s where we want to get to,” Cameron said.
New Cats recruit Patrick Dangerfield dominated on Monday with 43 possessions - 21 of those contested – plus seven clearances and 10 inside 50s in his first game for the club.
While Cameron joked Steve Johnson could get the match-up on Dangerfield, there was no joking around when looking at the Geelong line-up.
“Dangerfield’s a special player but so is Joel Selwood and so is (Mark) Blicavs, they’ve got a number of very, very good players. It’s a great challenge for us and we look forward to it."
Coniglio, who could be the one to run with Dangerfield, returns to the senior side after dominating for the UWS GIANTS in a NEAFL trial match last weekend.
After captaining the GIANTS in the first NAB Challenge match, a hamstring strain kept him out of the remainder of the pre-season competition.
Having played all three NAB Challenge games, Hoskin-Elliott missed out on selection in the round one side but returns to senior football this weekend. The last time he crossed paths with the Cats he had a career-high 27 disposals along with seven marks, four tackles and a goal.
Patton and Williams have been named on an extended bench alongside Matt Buntine, Jack Steele, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene and Adam Tomlinson.
Patton kicked five goals in a dominant performance in the NEAFL trial match last weekend while Williams was the travelling emergency with the senior side in Melbourne.
Steve Johnson will also take on his old side for the first time after an incredible career with the Cats. He was a three-time premiership player with Geelong, a Norm Smith Medal winner and kicked 452 goals in 253 games. In his debut in orange and charcoal against Melbourne, he picked up 23 touches and kicked two goals.
The final 22 will be named at 5pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
The GIANTS take on Geelong on Sunday, April 3 at 1.10pm at Manuka Oval in Canberra. Tickets are selling fast so get yours now at ticketek.com.au or get on board and become a GIANTS member with three huge games in Canberra this season. Head to membership.gwsgiants.com.au or call 1300 442 687 today.
GWS GIANTS
Squad
FB: Heath Shaw, Aidan Corr, Caleb Marchbank
HB: Nathan Wilson, Phil Davis, Adam Kennedy
C: Lachie Whitfield, Callan Ward, Will Hoskin-Elliott
HF: Rhys Palmer, Rory Lobb, Tom Scully
FF: Stephen Coniglio, Steve Johnson, Devon Smith
RR: Shane Mumford, Ryan Griffen, Dylan Shiel
Interchange (from): Matt Buntine, Jack Steele, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, Jonathon Patton, Zac Williams, Adam Tomlinson
