The GIANTS will welcome back 228-game veteran midfielder Ryan Griffen for their huge clash with the Swans in Sydney Derby X on Sunday afternoon.
Griffen spent six weeks on the sideline with a fracture in his back but has recovered to take his place in one of the GIANTS’ biggest games in the club’s short history.
“Ryan’s trained really well over the last two weeks and we feel as though because he’s a 10-year player he’s pretty hardened and he’s pretty honest in his assessment of where he’s at,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“We’ve had really good discussions this week. He feels as though he can come in and contribute and he’s looking forward to it.
“In saying that, it’s a big game we’re playing against the Swans - an A-grade game - so he doesn’t take this decision lightly.
“When I look him in the eye and he reckons he’s ready to go then we back him in.”
As revealed on Thursday, small forward Sam Reid also comes into the side, almost three years after retiring from the game to take up a Development Coach role at the club.
“It’s funny because I was the one that said to Sam, ‘maybe your injuries and your footy is going past you, do you want to take up this role?’ Cameron said.
“And then two years later his body started to become a lot better and his footy started to do the talking and we thought, ‘why don’t we explore it?’.
“We get to round 12 and he plays against the Swans on Sunday which is just a great achievement of persistence and getting over a number of hurdles that he’s had to get over.
“There’s no doubt he’ll bring his effort and his energy, he likes to tackle which is great, we need some pressure in our front half. That’s probably just as much as what we want from him, the rest will take care of itself.”
The duo come in at the expense of young midfielder Jack Steele and utility Adam Tomlinson who have both been omitted.
The GIANTS are calling all members to don their orange and make sure they’re at the huge Sydney Derby X to support their team.
Members with general admission access are encouraged to arrive early to secure their seat but make sure you’re there to help the GIANTS break the all-time crowd record at Spotless Stadium.
“I just think it’s a fantastic opportunity for all GIANTS supporters to get out and hope there’s a lot of orange … To have a packed stadium on Sunday is just great for AFL footy in NSW,” Cameron said.
The GIANTS take on the Swans in their 100th AFL match and Sydney Derby X at Spotless Stadium on Sunday at 4.40pm with the game officially SOLD OUT.
GWS GIANTS
FB: Joel Patfull, Phil Davis, Matt Buntine
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Haynes, Lachie Whitfield
C: Zac Williams, Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully
HF: Jonathon Patton, Jeremy Cameron, Steve Johnson
FF: Toby Greene, Rory Lobb, Sam Reid
RR: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio
Interchange: Jacob Hopper, Nathan Wilson, Josh Kelly, Ryan Griffen
In: Sam Reid, Ryan Griffen
Out: Jack Steele, Adam Tomlinson (omitted)
Emergencies: Jack Steele, Adam Tomlinson, Tom Downie
