Courageous midfielder Jacob Townsend has been named to play his first AFL match of the season ahead of the GIANTS’ clash with Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The 22-year-old had an interrupted start to 2015 sustaining a foot injury in the NAB Challenge and missing the first three months of the season.
Townsend, who was selected as a NSW-ACT zone selection in 2011, returned through the NEAFL in June and produced some impressive form before suffering a concussion against Redland last month.
Since his return a fortnight ago, Townsend has averaged 20 disposals, 11 tackles and one goal per match.
“It’s been a frustrating year with injury but I’m very excited to get this opportunity before the end of the season,” Townsend said.
“We want to finish 2015 on a good note against Melbourne on Sunday and take that momentum into pre-season training.
“Hopefully I can put in a good performance and we can finish the season on 12 wins which would be great.”
GIANTS coach Leon Cameron said Townsend’s selection epitomised hard work and dedication.
“Jacob’s been very unlucky this year through injury so it’s a credit to him for never giving up,” Cameron said.
“His form in the NEAFL has been impressive and he’s been around the mark for quite some time.
“I have no doubt he can slot straight into the side and play his role for the team.”
Townsend has played 27 games for the GIANTS over the last four seasons.
The other inclusion this week is nineteen-year-old Jake Barrett who will become the third GIANTS debutant this season.
Barrett came through the PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy and was taken in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft as an NSW-ACT priority zone selection.
Originally from Temora in the Riverina, Barrett is the first cousin of Hawthorn forward Luke Breust and second cousin of NRL great Trent Barrett.
The tough midfielder comes into the team on the back of an outstanding season in the NEAFL where he averaged nearly 30 possessions and seven tackles a game and was named in the NEAFL Team of the Year.
Ryan Griffen (knee) and Stephen Coniglio (hamstring) will miss the round 23 match due to injury.
The GWS GIANTS play Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday September 6 at 1.10pm .
GWS GIANTS
FB: Adam Kennedy, Caleb Marchbank, Zac Williams
HB: Lachie Plowman, Aidan Corr, James Stewart
C: Lachie Whitfield, Adam Treloar, Heath Shaw
HF: Devon Smith, Cam McCarthy, Rhys Palmer
FF: Josh Kelly, Jeremy Cameron, Adam Tomlinson
R: Tom Downie, Callan Ward, Tommy Bugg
Interchange: Nathan Wilson, Toby Greene, Jacob Townsend, Jake Barrett
Emergencies: Paul Ahern, Rory Lobb and Jack Steele
In: Jake Barrett, Jacob Townsend
Out: Ryan Griffen (knee), Stephen Coniglio (hamstring)
