The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have announced their 34-man squad for Saturday's opening NAB Cup clash against Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.

 

Twelve GIANTS will make their NAB Cup debut at Blacktown International Sportspark.

 

AFL veteran James McDonald says the young guns at the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have given the club an air of excitement.

 

The young playing group will face two of the biggest clubs in the league on Saturday night when they tackle Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs in Round 1 of the 2012 pre season competition.

 

“We've got a lot of young players and their attitude has been sensational,” said McDonald.

 

“For me coming from an established to a new start up club, to have so many young players come in has been pretty interesting.

 

“They create a lot of enthusiasm and energy.”

 

McDonald, who played over 250 games for the Melbourne Football Club, says the GIANTS are ready for the challenges of the AFL.

 

“It's been exciting to be involved in a club that's starting up and watching it all come together,” said McDonald.

 

“At the end of the day, clubs are just made up of people who make the team come together.

 

“There is a lot of banter around and everyone is trying to get fit - it's not all that different to any other footy club to be honest.”

 

After a year away from the AFL as aMelbourne based player mentor for the GIANTS, McDonald said that he is feeling fresh and hasn’t missed a beat in his pre season training campaign.

 

“I've had a bit of a gap year. I'm refreshed mentally and physically,” he said.

 

“There are a few challenges to see if I'm up to it but I'll soon find out. So far it's been great, I've rally enjoyed the pre season.”

 

 

The full GIANTS squad is:

 

 

Squad Number

Player Number

Player Name

1

1

PHIL DAVIS

2

2

CURTLY HAMPTON

3

3

STEPHEN CONIGLIO

4

4

ISRAEL FOLAU

5

6

6

7

LUKE POWER

RHYS PALMER

7

8

CALLAN WARD

8

9

TOM SCULLY

9

11

CHAD CORNES

10

13

SAM DARLEY

11

14

TOMAS BUGG

12

15

TIM GOLDS

13

16

NATHAN WILSON

14

18

JEREMY CAMERON

15

19

NICK HAYNES

16

20

ADAM TOMLINSON

17

22

SHAUN EDWARDS

18

23

SAM REID

19

24

STEVE CLIFTON

20

25

ANTHONY MILES

21

26

JONATHAN GILES

22

27

ANDREW PHILLIPS

23

28

LIAM SUMNER

24

29

DOM TYSON

25

31

JACOB TOWNSEND

26

32

GERALD UGLE

27

34

DEVON SMITH

28

36

JACK HOMBSCH

29

38

JAMES McDONALD

30

39

TIM MOHR

31

42

MARK WHILEY

32

44

TOM DOWNIE

33

47

JOSH BRUCE

34

49

RHYS COOYOU