Number 13 draft pick Matt Kennedy will make his AFL debut against Essendon on Sunday as one of five inclusions in the GIANTS’ squad.
Veterans Steve Johnson and Shane Mumford will miss the Etihad Stadium clash with Harry Himmelberg, Daniel Lloyd, Tom Downie and Jack Steele included on an extended interchange bench.
“Steve Johnson’s obviously out with his foot and in comes Matty Kennedy which is fantastic to have a debutant from our Academy play on Sunday against the Bombers,” said coach Leon Cameron.
“Shane Mumford will miss as well with an ankle; he got through half of training and we were sort of confident he’d be ok but he’s actually a bit sorer than we first though so he’s not going to play.”
Kennedy, a GIANTS Academy graduate, becomes the club’s second debutant of season. The 19-year-old has played seven matches for the WSU GIANTS in the NEAFL this year, averaging more than 26 touches and five tackles a game.
“Matty’s been in really good form in the NEAFL,” Cameron said.
“He had a fair bit of footy last week and kicked three goals so he’ll play a fair bit forward but also in the midfield.
“He’s really hard at it, he’s hungry for his opportunity and we expect him to win his fair share of footy and put an enormous amount of pressure on Essendon when they have it.”
Steele had another strong game for the WSU GIANTS last weekend while ruckman Downie has also been in great NEAFL form.
Both Himmelberg and Lloyd are yet to make their AFL debuts with rookie Lloyd upgraded to the GIANTS’ senior list on Thursday.
“This competition, if you’re not right it gets a hold of you,” Cameron said.
“We had a couple of players that aren’t right, how many weeks they miss, time will tell, but if they’re not right then I don’t want to take any injured players in.
“I’ve got some players that are really keen to play AFL footy, we’re keen to give them the opportunity, so the pressure’s on.
“The 22 that roll out there on Sunday have a responsibility to play in the right manner and I’m confident after seeing our training today that they will.”
The sixth placed GIANTS travel to Melbourne to take on the 18th-placed Essendon on Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.
The GIANTS will name their final team at 5pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Essendon v GWS GIANTS
Sunday June 19, 4.40pm
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
FB: Phil Davis, Joel Patfull, Nick Haynes
HB: Heath Shaw, Matt Buntine, Nathan Wilson
C: Lachie Whitfield, Callan Ward, Sam Reid
HF: Josh Kelly, Jonny Patton, Matt Kennedy
FF: Dylan Shiel, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Scully
RR: Rory Lobb, Toby Greene, Ryan Griffen
Interchange (from): Harry Himmelberg, Stephen Coniglio, Daniel Lloyd, Tom Downie, Zac Williams, Jack Steele, Jacob Hopper
In: Matt Kennedy, Harry Himmelberg, Daniel Lloyd, Tom Downie, Jack Steele
Out: Steve Johnson (foot), Shane Mumford (ankle)
