Former decathlete Jake Stein is one of six inclusions in the GIANTS’ 26-man squad to head to Hobart to take on North Melbourne on Sunday.
As revealed earlier on Thursday, 25-year-old Stein will make his AFL debut in Sunday’s match, a world away from the 2014 Commonwealth Games where he represented Australia.
Coach Leon Cameron paid tribute to Stein’s dedication and hard-work to earn his first game.
“It’s a wonderful story,” Cameron said.
“He comes in and works really hard. He’s naturally fit, he’s got natural speed and he’s worked on all the things you need to work on to become a defender.
“What you see is what you get. He will spoil really well, he kicks the ball really well, he’s picked up the game really well in the three years he’s been practicing and plied his trade in the NEAFL.
“It’s a really great story. He’s a Penrith boy in the western suburbs of Sydney. We’ve been promoting the game, our club’s been here for eight years now and to have more and more players coming out of Western Sydney is just a great thing for the club.
Also included in the squad are Toby Greene, Matt Buntine, Zac Langdon, Jackson Hately and Dawson Simpson.
Cameron also confirmed Greene will return to the side after being a late withdrawal from last week’s clash with the Crows.
“He was borderline last week, we know he nearly got there but we didn’t take the risk,” Cameron said.
“He’s trained really well. He trained Monday, trained today and will play on Sunday.
“He’s really keen to get out there. We all want continuity with him, he wants continuity and he’s looking forward to playing.”
Defender Nick Haynes and Isaac Cumming have been confirmed out with injury, with the final team to be named at 5pm on Friday.
The GIANTS take on the Kangaroos at Blundstone Arena in Hobart on Sunday at 3:20pm.
North Melbourne v GIANTS
Sunday, June 16 at 3:20pm
Blundstone Arena
FB: Zac Williams, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
HB: Adam Tomlinson, Sam Taylor, Jake Stein
C: Brett Deledio, Tim Taranto, Adam Kennedy
HF: Matt de Boer, Jeremy Cameron, Harry Perryman
FF: Jeremy Finlayson, Harry Himmelberg, Stephen Coniglio
RR: Shane Mumford, Josh Kelly, Jacob Hopper
Interchange (from): Toby Greene, Matt Buntine, Sam Reid, Brent Daniels, Daniel Lloyd, Zac Langdon, Jackson Hately, Dawson Simpson
In: Jake Stein, Toby Greene, Matt Buntine, Zac Langdon, Jackson Hately, Dawson Simpson
Out: Isaac Cumming (injured), Nick Haynes (injured)
