They say no news is good news and it’s a case of business as usual for the GIANTS as they go into Saturday night’s clash with North Melbourne unchanged.
Coach Leon Cameron has opted to stick with the same 22 that demolished Fremantle by 92 points at Spotless Stadium last round, restricting the Dockers to just two points in the second half.
It’s just the second time in GIANTS history the club has gone in with the same team as the week prior.
“We’re going in unchanged, the 22 that played last week, we were pleased with their form,” Cameron said.
“We look forward to those guys stepping up to the plate again on Saturday night.
“It’s tough every week because there’s a lot of players who are smashing the door down.
“It’s good that we’ve got a really healthy list and the guys that played against Fremantle all contributed and played their role.”
In a quirk of the fixture, this is the first time the GIANTS have faced the Kangaroos in 2016, with the last meeting between these two sides way back in round 12, 2015.
“It is quite unique, you get to round 23, the last game of the home and away season and you haven’t played a side yet so it’s actually quite interesting,” Cameron said.
“It’s going to be a cracking game. No doubt it’s going to be a massive game for them and a massive game for us.
“There’s a fair bit riding on it, the unknown of where teams are going to finish.
“We’ve got to make sure we bring that effort and energy we had in the front half of the year and the second half last week and bring that on the weekend.”
It’s been a big week for the Kangaroos who told Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito, four of the club’s most beloved players, they wouldn’t be offered contracts for 2017.
Cameron doesn’t believe the announcement will bring any extra emotion into the game with plenty on the line for the GIANTS who could still sneak into the top four with a win and if other results go their way.
“There’s no doubt it’s huge news,” Cameron said.
“They’re superstars, obviously three have been there their entire careers and Nick has obviously been there the last few years but they’ve all been playing football for 15-20 years of AFL footy at the elite level.
“There’s no doubt they’re quality people and quality players, when that happens to a club there’s no doubt it will galvanise them and whether that helps their performance, time will only tell.
“All we can worry about is what we deliver and our boys are looking forward to this challenge on Saturday night.”
The GIANTS are hosting a pre-match function in Melbourne prior to the game on Saturday night at The Crafty Square on Russell Street so head along from 4pm-6pm.
The GIANTS take on North Melbourne at 7.25pm on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.
North Melbourne v GWS GIANTS
Saturday August 27, 7.25pm
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
GWS GIANTS
FB: Nathan Wilson, Phil Davis, Zac Williams
HB: Ryan Griffen, Nick Haynes, Heath Shaw
C: Adam Tomlinson, Dylan Shiel, Josh Kelly
HF: Jacob Hopper, Jonathon Patton, Devon Smith
FF: Steve Johnson, Rory Lobb, Jeremy Cameron
RR: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Tom Scully
Interchange: Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Joel Patfull
In: -
Out: -
Emergencies: Jack Steele, Matt Buntine, Adam Kennedy
