Vice-captain Stephen Coniglio returns to the GIANTS team as one of three changes to the side to face the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.
The powerful midfielder missed the GIANTS’ clash with the Suns before last week’s bye with
“That six-day break cost him after the Adelaide game so that was disappointing, but he’s had a good year,” coach Leon Cameron said.
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“There’s no doubt he’s hungry, going on his training performances this week, to get back into the swing of things.
“We understand the task ahead against the Lions is going to be a huge one so having him back in the team no doubt helps us.”
Ruckman Dawson Simpson returns to the side for the injured Rory Lobb (back) and is set to play his third game of the season.
“He’s been in some really good form and he’s looking forward to his opportunity,” Cameron said.
“There’s no doubt it’s always hard playing at the lower level and busting to take on a number one role like this, one as significant as being the number one ruck. We’re confident he can do that.
“He’s had a good five or six weeks and he’s as excited and as desperate to grab his opportunity as any man I’ve seen so we’re expecting him to have a really good duel against one of the better ruckman in the competition in Stefan Martin.”
Young defender Jeremy Finlayson has also been recalled for his 10th game of the season.
“He obviously had a really good start to the year and then probably dropped away for two or three weeks there,” Cameron said.
“He’s gone back and addressed some of the areas of his game and we look forward to him picking up where he left off in that early part of the year.
“It’s a really good sign for a young kid to address the areas he needs to address, and we look forward to Jeremy jumping back into that backline with his run and his dash and his ball use but also his defensive traits.”
Forward Daniel Lloyd (knee) goes out of the side with injury while Harry Perryman has been omitted.
The GIANTS head north to take on the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon in the club’s 150th game in the competition. Tune in live on 7mate or Fox Footy from
Brisbane Lions v GIANTS
The Gabba
FB: Aidan Corr, Sam Taylor, Adam Tomlinson
HB: Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
C: Ryan Griffen, Callan Ward, Sam Reid
HF: Matt de Boer, Jeremy Cameron, Stephen Coniglio
FF: Jacob Hopper, Jon Patton, Dylan Shiel
RR: Dawson Simpson, Tim Taranto, Josh Kelly
Interchange: Lachie Whitfield, Zac Langdon, Harry Himmelberg, Jeremy Finlayson
In: Stephen Coniglio, Dawson Simpson, Jeremy Finlayson
Out: Rory Lobb (back), Daniel Lloyd (knee), Harry Perryman (omitted)
Emergencies: Aiden Bonar, Brent Daniels, Lachie Keeffe, Harry Perryman
