Former number two draft pick Josh Kelly will return to the GIANTS side to face the Gold Coast on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.

Kelly comes in to replace injured midfielder Dylan Shiel who will be out for between six and 12 weeks with a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee.

After 18 games and a NAB AFL Rising star nomination in his debut season in 2014, Kelly will line up for his 11th game this year after a scintillating fortnight in the reserves for the UWS GIANTS.

The 20-year-old was the best midfielder on the ground in the NEAFL last weekend with 30 touches, 10 tackles and two goals, following a 42-possession, eight tackle performance the week before.

“A midfielder goes out and we’ve brought a midfielder in so Josh is really looking forward to his opportunity,” coach Leon Cameron said.



“He’s played some good footy the last couple of weeks and we’re looking forward to see how he rolls out on Saturday.”

While the GIANTS defeated the Gold Coast by 66-points in their ANZAC Day match in Canberra in round four, Cameron knows it’s a very different Suns side his team will face on Saturday.

“They probably obviously struggled early in the year, they had seven or eight or 10 of their best 22 out injured,” Cameron said.

“They’ve still got a number of injuries but they’ve got some players back. You can clearly see that they’re playing a good brand of footy. It’s a huge challenge for us, we look forward to it.

“The two teams have come in over the past three or four years and are building a rivalry so it’s going to be a tough game.”

Vice-captain Tom Scully will celebrate his 100th AFL game while Curtly Hampton - one of the very first players ever signed to the club - will line up for his 50th match.

“To play 100 games at AFL level is just an outstanding achievement for anyone,” Cameron said.



“Tom's had to do it pretty tough in the first couple of years just with the move and dealing with that but his last few years have just been phenomenal for us.

“Curtly plays his 50th game which is great. He’s back in the team, he played a good role last week when he got his opportunity after some really strong NEAFL form. 



“Those sort of achievements don’t come lightly. It’s hard enough to play one game at AFL level so I’m proud of the two boys.”

The GIANTS play the Suns at Metricon Stadium on Saturday at 2.10pm with live coverage on Fox Sports 3 and 7mate in NSW and the ACT from 2.00pm. Follow the game live on the GIANTS Game Hub or keep up to date on Twitter and Facebook.

Gold Coast Suns v GWS GIANTS
Saturday July 18, 2.10pm

Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast

GWS GIANTS

FB: Heath Shaw, Nick Haynes, Curtly Hampton

HB: Matt Buntine, Aidan Corr, Zac Williams

C: Devon Smith, Ryan Griffen, Adam Tomlinson
HF: Rhys Palmer, Jeremy Cameron, Callan Ward
FF: Tom Scully, Cam McCarthy, Lachie Whitfield

R: Rory Lobb, Adam Treloar, Jack Steele



Interchange: Stephen Coniglio, Tom Downie, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene

In: Josh Kelly
Out: Dylan Shiel (knee)

Emergencies: Jed Lamb, Nathan Wilson, Will Hoskin-Elliott