Greater Western Sydney GIANTS defender Sam Frost will make his AFL debut this weekend, after the club elevated the 18-year-old rookie on to the senior playing list today.
Sam Reid has been placed onto the club’s long-term injury list after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2012 season.
The GIANTS recruited Frost from theSandringham Dragons with the first pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
General Manager of Football Graeme Allan said that while the club was obviously disappointed to lose Reid, it presented an exciting opportunity for Frost.
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“Sam Reid has had unfortunate run with injuries and we’re all really disappointed to see him sidelined for the rest of the season.
“However with all things in football this opens the door for another young player to step up to the AFL level.
“He’s found himself consistently amongst the best players for the UWS GIANTS in the NEAFL competition and this is anopportunity he really deserves.”
As a schoolboy Frost had hoped to one day move overseas to pursue his dream of playing basketball in the US college system. But like so many other talented teenagers, juggling two sports and school became too much for him. The 194cm Frost chose to focus on pursuing a career in football.
Frost said that he was looking forward to making his debut this weekend but felt for teammate Sam Reid.
“I was pretty excited when Sheeds told me they were going to elevate me, I felt that I had found some consistent form in the NEAFL and it was just a matter of finding an opportunity to make the step up,” said Frost.
“It’s never great to see one of your teammates injured and I really feel for him, but I’ve just got focus on now doing the best I can for the side and hopefully filling that position.”
Frost will now become the 32nd GIANT to make his AFL debut this year when the GIANTS take on Fremantle in Perth this Sunday.