Co-captain Phil Davis and vice-captain Stephen Coniglio return to the field as part of three changes to the GIANTS side to face St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
Young defender Harry Himmelberg has also been called upon for his first AFL game for the season following a number of strong performances in the NEAFL.
Davis returns after missing the round six game with a hamstring strain while Coniglio will play his first match of the 2017 Premiership season after an ankle injury in the final JLT Community Series game sidelined the midfielder for eight weeks.
The skipper has been in fine form over the first part of the season and will be a welcome addition with the absence of Nick Haynes who’ll miss with the serious hamstring injury he picked up in last week’s clash with the Bulldogs.
With in-form defender Haynes and All-Australian forward Toby Greene (suspension) ruled out earlier in the week, Sam Reid was left out of the team on Thursday having not overcome a minor hamstring injury.
GIANTS Coach Leon Cameron said they took a cautious approach with Coniglio as he dealt with a syndesmosis injury.
“We needed to give him an extra week because this game is pretty brutal as we know, and he needs to be able to get through four quarters, so we’re confident he can do that.
“Obviously Stephen is our vice-captain and he’s missed a bit of footy, but that extra week has convinced us that he’s ready to go.
“He’ll take up his normal time (on ground), we expect him to be playing in the midfield, so it’s a great challenge against a very in-form team.”
Despite Friday night being just Himmelberg’s fifth Friday night game, coach Leon Cameron is confident the 20-year old is up to the task.
“He’s been in terrific form at NEAFL level and played some good footy at AFL level at the back end of last year.
“He deserves his spot, and with Haynesy going out he was the likely replacement as he plays that same role so we’re looking forward to seeing how he progresses with his first game of the year being a Friday night blockbuster against the Saints.”
Friday night will see close friends Jeremy Cameron and Devon Smith run out in their 100th AFL games, with Leon Cameron heaping praise on the pair.
“It’s a great feat for those two boys to come through together, and it’s quite unique because they’re very close friends, so to play their 100th game together is great for us.
“Their loyalty and willingness to stick through the hard times when we were getting belted in those first couple of years is a testament to their character.
Those two boys, along with eight or nine others who started six years ago, have become the backbone of the club, and have had a big say in us climbing up the ladder and playing finals footy last year.”
The GIANTS take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night at 7:50pm with live coverage on 7mate across NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy all around Australia.
Round 7
St Kilda v GIANTS
Friday March 5, 7:50pm
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
FB: Zac Williams, Aidan Corr, Heath Shaw
HB: Adam Kennedy, Phil Davis, Tim Taranto
C: Nathan Wilson, Callan Ward, Tom Scully
HF: Steve Johnson, Rory Lobb, Matt Kennedy
FF: Devon Smith, Jonny Patton, Jeremy Cameron
RR: Shane Mumford, Josh Kelly, Dylan Shiel
Interchange: Harry Himmelberg, Stephen Coniglio, Jacob Hopper, Adam Tomlinson
In: Phil Davis, Stephen Coniglio, Harry Himmelberg
Out: Nick Haynes (hamstring), Sam Reid (hamstring), Toby Greene (suspension)
Emergencies: Matt de Boer, Dawson Simpson, Harry Perryman
