The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have welcomed back five players to the side this week to take on the Gold Coast Suns at Manuka Oval, with an impressive mix of young talent and experience.
Chad Cornes, Israel Folau, Jeremy Cameron, Jacob Townsend and Adam Treloar have all been named to bolster the side after coming back from injury and illness.
Earlier today the GIANTS made the exciting announcement that rookie Andrew Phillips has been elevated on to the senior list and will also make his AFL debut this weekend.
Watch Kevin Sheedy announce his side to play GC SUNS
Setanta O’hAilpin ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last weekend and will miss the remainder of the season, while Dean Brogan suffered an elbow injury that will see him miss the next four to six weeks. Jack Hombsch comes out of the side with quad soreness while James McDonald is being rested and Curtly Hampton and Sam Reid have been omitted.
Head Coach Kevin Sheedy said that he was looking forward to seeing how his young side matches up against the AFL’s other new comers, the Gold Coast Suns.
“Obviously we’re disappointed to have lost Setanta O’hAilpin and Dean Brogan last week and a few other players to injury so we’ve been forced to make a number of changes to the side for Round 7,” he said.
“We do have a number of big ins though with Jeremy Cameron coming back into the forward line along with Izzy and of course Chad Cornes’ experience will be invaluable.
“It also gives us a chance to play another first gamer, Andrew Phillips, who is a young ruckman from Tasmania.
“He will become the 24th young GIANTS player to make his AFL debut this year and I’m looking forward to seeing how he attacks this challenge.
“I think it’s going to be a ripper of a game. Hopefully Garry Ablett Junior plays because we want to see a great crowd down at Manuka Oval.
“This game will be the two babies of the AFL competition, the Gold Coast SUNS and the mighty Greater Western Sydney GIANTS. There will be a lot of exciting young talent on display so it’s one not to miss.”
