Returning defender Tim Mohr and debutant Jacob Hopper will line up against the Gold Coast when the Suns travel to Spotless Stadium for the first time on Saturday afternoon.
Mohr, who last played for the GIANTS in round 18, 2014, returns for the GIANTS after two successive knee reconstructions and 665 days on the sidelines.
The 27-year-old defender, who’s played 43 AFL games, first injured his knee two seasons ago and was set for an AFL return last year before re-injuring his ACL in an innocuous tackle in May, 2015.
“There’s been some pretty dark times for him,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“Tim’s been through two reconstructions and it is great. He’s a really popular player amongst our playing group.
“He’s put his head down and worked really hard over the Christmas period and also the early part of this year and I think he’s re-gained that passion to play AFL footy.”
The other feel-good story of the week is the debut of young midfielder Jacob Hopper.
19-year-old Hopper becomes the 72nd player to represent the GIANTS and the fourth GIANTS Academy graduate to play for the club.
From Leeton in southern NSW, the hard-running midfielder with excellent skills was drafted at pick seven in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.
“It’s good that the team’s playing well and there’s been five or six players knocking down the door to get in with some really good form in the NEAFL,” Cameron said.
“Jacob’s been one of them, he had a setback a few weeks ago but he’s been in great form and we look forward to seeing him play his first game.
“He’s a really competitive player, inside mid that really wants to get to work and we’re looking forward to seeing what he brings on Saturday afternoon.”
Mohr replaces co-captain Phil Davis, who will miss the next two to three weeks with a minor hamstring injury sustained late in the GIANTS’ win over Fremantle in Perth.
Midfielder Toby Greene will also miss this week’s game after pulling up sore following the trip west.
The GIANTS have won four games in a row for the first time in their history to sit at five wins and two losses after seven games. It’s been the reverse for the Suns who have lost the past four games but started the season with three straight wins.
“They’ve been hit with some injuries, as we know, but we played them last year on the Gold Coast and it went down to two or three goals when they had enormous injuries as well so they’re very hard to beat,” Cameron said.
“When you’ve got a team with Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia, Aaron Hall, the likes of those guys in the midfield, it’s going to be a huge challenge for us.”
The GIANTS take on the Gold Coast Suns at Spotless Stadium at 4.35pm on Saturday. Family tickets starts from just $48 for two adults and two kids, including free train travel, so get yours today at ticketmaster.com.au.
GWS GIANTS v Gold Coast Suns
Spotless Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Saturday, May 14
4.35pm
GWS GIANTS
FB: Adam Kennedy, Joel Patfull, Nathan Wilson
HB: Nick Haynes, Tim Mohr, Matt Buntine
C: Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Jack Steele
HF: Dylan Shiel, Jeremy Cameron, Rhys Palmer
FF: Steve Johnson, Rory Lobb, Josh Kelly
RR: Shane Mumford, Zac Williams, Callan Ward
Interchange: Jacob Hopper, Jonathon Patton, Tom Scully, Heath Shaw
In: Tim Mohr, Jacob Hopper
Out: Phil Davis (hamstring), Toby Greene (soreness)
Emergencies: Adam Tomlinson, Jake Barrett, Sam Reid
