Dashing defender Lachie Ash will make his AFL debut on Friday night against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Ash is one of two changes to the GIANTS side with star forward Toby Greene set to miss with knee soreness.
Ash was selected by the GIANTS as the fourth pick in the 2019 AFL Draft and has impressed everyone at the club since he arrived in Western Sydney.
The line-breaking defender, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on Sunday, will become the 101st player to pull on the orange and charcoal jumper.
Coach Leon Cameron said the teenager’s professionalism has shone throughout his seven months at the clubs.
"He’s done everything right since he’s arrived,” said Cameron.
“He’s a diligent young kid who’ll fit in nicely in our back half. He’s a powerful and quick young player and he’s forced us to play him as he’s in really good form.
“We look forward to welcoming him into the team for a big clash on Friday night.”
Ash said he was caught by surprise when the good news was delivered in front of his teammates at the club on Thursday morning.
“I didn’t expect it at all,” said Ash.
“We had training last night and I thought that if I was playing I might have got told last night so it’s a bit of a shock but a good shock, that’s for sure.”
With Ash wearing the number seven jumper at the GIANTS, he’s set to live out his childhood dream by debuting next to his idol Lachie Whitfield.
“We’re locker buddies so any questions I have I can bounce them off him which is good.
“He’s obviously as superstar and his football brain is tremendous so I can bounce anything I want to off him and he’s always happy to help.
“When you come to the club that your idol plays at, it’s a bit scary at the start but to have someone like him in my corner is great to help me grow as a player and as a person.”
Ash is expected to play a similar role to Isaac Cumming who’s missed selection after playing the first two rounds.
After being omitted last week, Zac Langdon has been recalled to the team and will be a straight swap for Toby Greene in a forward-line role.
“Toby’s unfortunately got a bit of soreness behind his knee,” said Cameron.
“Obviously we would have loved him to run out with us this week but we just couldn’t risk it on a five day break.
“He’ll most likely be alright for next week but only time will tell with that.”
Friday night is set to be the next chapter in the storied rivalry between the GIANTS and Bulldogs which continues to grow every year.
“It’s a huge opportunity for our club to be playing on Friday night and the effort and intensity has to lift from last week,” said Cameron.
“It’s a great rivalry and no doubt the intensity from both teams is going to go to another level because of this.”
Round 3
Western Bulldogs v GIANTS
Friday, June 19 at 7:50pm
Marvel Stadium
Live on 7mate in NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy nationally
FB: Nick Haynes, Aidan Corr, Sam Taylor
HB: Zac Williams, Phil Davis, Harry Perryman
C: Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly
HF: Zac Langdon, Jeremy Cameron, Daniel Lloyd
FF: Brent Daniels, Jeremy Finlayson, Harry Himmelberg
RR: Sam Jacobs, Matt de Boer, Callan Ward
Interchange: Jye Caldwell, Lachie Ash, Jacob Hopper, Heath Shaw
In: Lachie Ash (debut), Zac Langdon
Out: Toby Greene (injured), Isaac Cumming (omitted)
Emergencies: Shane Mumford, Isaac Cumming, Tom Green, Bobby Hill
