Number two draft pick Josh Kelly will play his first game for the GIANTS when they face St Kilda in the NAB Challenge at Wagga Wagga this Saturday.

Kelly has been a standout on the training track for the GIANTS over the pre-season and the 19-year-old midfielder will pull on the club colours for the first time at Robertson Oval

His father Phil played 61 games as a wingman for North Melbourne in the 1980s after crossing from Western Australia where he won two Sandover Medals for East Perth in the WAFL. 

“He’s a real professional young kid, he prepares himself really well,” said GIANTS Head Coach Leon Cameron.

“We know he’s got this enormous running ability, similar to Lachie Whitfield.

“He’s just got some great values, his mum and dad have done a terrific job in bringing him up and he’s well respected just because of his work ethic around the group.

“For a first-year player to make that kind of impact has been great and we’re looking forward to him rolling out and playing in a GIANTS jumper for the first time on Saturday.”

Kelly and midfielder Jacob Townsend have been included in a 26-man squad to face the Saints with Matt Buntine and Tom Scully the two outs.

Scully pulled up with a sore ankle after last week’s match against the Swans while Buntine suffered a concussion in the first NAB Challenge match.

The duo join Tim Mohr and Sam Schulz as the only GIANTS players on the sidelines at the moment.

The emergencies are Scully, Zac Williams and Will Hoskin-Elliott.

The 17 players who have not been included in the side to face the Saints will play a practice match against an ACT Under-23 representative side at Ainslie Oval on Saturday.

Number one draft pick Tom Boyd will feature for the UWS GIANTS in Canberra alongside fellow draftees Cam McCarthy and Rory Lobb as well as Stephen Gilham.

Purchase your ticket to Saturday afternoon's match at Robertson Oval via any Ticketmaster outlet, from the Wagga Wagga Visitors Centre or at the gate on game day.

Become a Riverina GIANTS member for free access to the game as well as admission to the GIANTS’ three home games in Canberra and much more - Find out more here.

If you can’t make the game, catch all the action on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 4.40pm on Saturday or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates and highlights.

Find out more about Josh Kelly and his journey to the AFL with our special Inside the GIANTS profile on the young midfielder.

GWS GIANTS v St Kilda

Saturday March 1, 4.40pm
Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga

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UWS GIANTS v ACT Under-23

Saturday March 1, 11.30am
Ainslie Oval, Canberra

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