The GIANTS have recalled Matt Buntine and Jed Lamb for their clash with North Melbourne at StarTrack Oval in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
Former number five draft pick Buntine returns to the side after injury while Lamb has been rewarded for strong NEAFL form.
“Matty Buntine was really stiff, he played a really good game over in Fremantle and then unfortunately came back and had a calf injury,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“After working so hard to get into the side he sort of lasted a week and that injury popped up.
“He’s rehabbed really well and we’re looking forward to him taking a position in the back half again, and Jed Lamb’s form in the NEAFL has been good.”
Veteran Josh Hunt goes out of the side with a hip injury while defender Sam Frost has been omitted. Cam McCarthy, James Stewart and Mark Whiley have been named as the emergencies.
Cameron said he is looking forward to the GIANTS’ final home game of the season in Canberra as the two sides face off for the Prime Minister’s Cup.
“It’s great playing Saturday afternoon footy, it looks like the sun will be out and we’re looking forward to playing at StarTrack Oval,” he said.
“The Kangaroos going to be hungry, they’ve lost the last two and we feel like as though our form in the last couple of weeks has been good for three and a half quarters so we look forward to taking it up to them.
“In the short history that we’ve played them they’ve probably touched us up a few times but I think we’re probably better prepared now, we’re a lot more competitive.
“Our midfield look forward to a great clash with them and all in all I think it’s going to be a really good clash.”
The GIANTS will play North Melbourne at StarTrack Oval, Canberra this Saturday, August 9 at 1.45pm AEST. The match will be shown live in NSW and the ACT on Fox Footy and 7mate.
GWS GIANTS v North Melbourne
Saturday August 9, 1.45pm
StarTrack Oval, Canberra
GWS GIANTS
FB: Matt Buntine, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
HB: Zac Williams, Lachie Plowman, Adam Kennedy
C: Toby Greene, Adam Treloar, Will Hoskin-Elliott
HF: Tomas Bugg, Adam Tomlinson, Tom Boyd
FF: Devon Smith, Jon Patton, Jed Lamb
RR: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Rhys Palmer
Int: Joshua Kelly, Dylan Shiel, Tim Golds, Jono O’Rourke
In: Matt Buntine, Jed Lamb
Out: Josh Hunt (hip), Sam Frost
Emergencies: Cam McCarthy, James Stewart, Mark Whiley