The GIANTS’ NAB Cup match against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston will be like a homecoming for Tasmanian born rookie Andrew Phillips.
The 202 cm ruckman from Triabunna said that he was excited and nervous about tomorrow’s match against one of this year’s premiership favourites. He is one of three Tasmanian players representing the Giants along with Sam Darley and Tim Mohr.
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“NAB Cup is a great opportunity for me no matter where it’s played but the fact that I get to go home and play in front of all of my family and friends is even more exciting,” he said.
“Sheeds is a pretty big family man so he likes to get the boys back to their home ground. We get on a plane Friday morning, and then have a training run. We will go to the hotel and settle in and get ready for the game.
“My mum has spoken to my old school, Triabunna District High and my old club Lauderdale Bombers and I have a few family and friends coming down to watch as well.”
Phillips said that the GIANTS are looking forward to testing themselves against quality opposition and that they would be tested by a full match.
“Hawthorn is a top-side and they did very well last year. If we can be competitive against them, that will be a big positive for us.
“We’ve had a look at the Hawthorn team, there’s a lot of experience there and a lot of young boys as well.
“I’ve been watching Max Bailey and David Hale play for a long time so it will be good to come up against them and see what I can do.
“It’s not their full strength side; they probably want to have a look at a few boys in the NAB Cup while they can. ”
