The GIANTS will debut their fourth first-gamer of the season - and second in two weeks - with South Australian Tom Hutchesson to make his AFL debut.
Just two years ago Hutchesson was playing for the Millicent Saints in the Western Border Football League but after being selected at pick 65 in last year’s draft, he’ll become an AFL footballer on Thursday night.
Coach Leon Cameron said the 25-year-old mature draftee made it impossible not to pick him.
“He’s been training really hard and played three games back now,” Cameron said.
“He thought his opportunity at AFL level was gone. He’s a really popular young fellow, he works really hard.
“He can play midfield, he can play forward and on the wing so he’s really flexible.
“He’s an old-fashioned footy player who makes really good decisions.
“He’s got a good motor, he’s got great speed and he’s a really good competitor so we look forward to welcoming him into the team to play in a huge game against the Swans.”
The former carpenter follows in the footsteps of fellow 2019 draftees Tom Green and Lachie Ash to have made their debuts this season and will line up alongside Ash and Xavier O’Halloran, who played his first game last week.
Hutchesson will come in for Phil Davis, who hasn’t been able to recover from a minor knee injury sustained in last week’s win over the Bombers.
“It’s disappointing that he doesn’t get up,” Cameron said.
“We’ve given him every opportunity but he’s just not quite right. These games are really intense so he’s going to miss out which is disappointing.
“He was tracking along ok and we were hoping he would spike today but that didn’t happen so he’s not playing.”
Coach Cameron has also opted to rest ruckman Shane Mumford and recall Sam Jacobs, who was managed for last week’s match.
“I think Shane has been playing some really good footy and I loved his game last week,” Cameron said.
“But before that I thought Sam had a really good couple of weeks before we managed him so the two of them are in really good form and they’re fighting for that spot.
“We’re managing them through this period where there’s shorter breaks and Sam gets the opportunity to go up against the ruck combination at the Swans.”
The GIANTS and Swans are getting set for a unique Sydney Derby which will be played at Optus Stadium on Thursday night while both teams are in quarantine.
“We get to play against a really tough side against the Swans and we’re under no illusions it will be a tough game,” Cameron said.
“We’ve had some close ones recently and last year was only a couple of points so we’re expecting a huge challenge.”
The GIANTS take on the Swans on Thursday at 6:10pm WST/8:10pm EST live on Fox Footy nationally and on free-to-air in NSW and the ACT on 7mate.
Round 12
Swans v GIANTS
Thursday August 13 at 6:10pm WST/8:10pm EST
Optus Stadium
FB: Heath Shaw, Lachlan Keeffe, Aidan Corr
HB: Zac Williams, Nick Haynes, Lachie Ash
C: Jye Caldwell, Stephen Coniglio, Harry Perryman
HF: Zac Langdon, Jeremy Cameron, Lachie Whitfield
FF: Brent Daniels, Harry Himmelberg, Jeremy Finlayson
RR: Sam Jacobs, Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto
Interchange: Jacob Hopper, Callan Ward, Tom Hutchesson, Xavier O'Halloran
In: Sam Jacobs, Tom Hutchesson (debut)
Out: Shane Mumford (managed), Phil Davis (knee)
Emergencies: Jake Riccardi, Connor Idun, Adam Kennedy, Shane Mumford
