Small forward Devon Smith headlines six changes to the GIANTS side to face Carlton at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
Smith returns from a week off with a knee injury while Adam Kennedy, Adam Tomlinson, Tom Downie, James Stewart and Lachie Plowman have all been rewarded for impressive NEAFL form.
“Our NEAFL side sits on top and the guys have played really, really well for a couple of weeks so we look forward to giving them an opportunity at AFL level,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“They deserve their go. They could have been picked a number of weeks ago.
“Our performance last weekend, as we know, wasn’t great. There’s been some changes through injury but also some changes through form.”
After a dislocated elbow ruined his pre-season, former number three draft pick Plowman comes in to play his first game of the year.
“It was really unfortunate because he was having a really good pre-season and that injury was a five to six month injury,” Cameron said.
“He’s now played probably six or seven games back and is in really good form. Caleb Marchbank came in last week and Lachie this week so we’re confident they can carry that form over into the AFL.”
Joel Patfull (soreness), Andrew Phillips (shoulder), Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee) and Haynes (groin) all miss through injury while forward Jonny Patton has been rested. Ruckman Rory Lobb will line up for the UWS GIANTS after being omitted.
Out of finals contention for the first time this season, there’s still plenty for the 11th-placed GIANTS to play for when they take on the 17th-placed Blues. After being beaten for physicality and pressure agains the Swans, Cameron foresees no such issues this weekend.
“We’ve got to make sure we bring those non-negotiables back into our game this week against Carlton who are playing some really good footy,” he said.
“They had a great win against Melbourne last week and they’re up and about so we have to make sure we bring a really good defensive mindset.
“Last week we didn’t turn up so we have to make sure we turn up this week.”
Star midfielder and 2012 number one draft pick Lachie Whitfield will line up for his 50th game just three years into his career.
“Lachie’s in his third year, he’s had some really nasty injuries that have affected his pre-seasons,” Cameron said.
“It’s great that he’s strung a number of games together and to walk away after three years of AFL footy and having already played 50 games holds him in good stead for probably his best years to come.”
This weekend will see the GIANTS celebrate the 13,480 members who helped the club break their all-time membership record in 2015. The GIANTS will wear a special jumper with the names of all of their five-year foundation members, including 10 current players, on it.
“They’re the lifeblood of your footy club. You don’t have a club if you don’t have members,” Cameron said.
“For us to have 13-and-a-half thousand and that’s growing all the time, it’s a great opportunity for us to pay our respects to them for what they’ve done for this footy club, especially in the start-up years when it’s been tough.”
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The GIANTS play Carlton in the final home game of the year for Members Appreciation Round at Spotless Stadium on August 29 at 1.45pm.
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GWS GIANTS v Carlton
Saturday August 29, 1.45pm
Spotless Stadium
GWS GIANTS
FB: Nathan Wilson, Aidan Corr, Heath Shaw
HB: Adam Kennedy, Caleb Marchbank, Toby Greene
C: Adam Treloar, Ryan Griffen, Tommy Bugg
HF: Rhys Palmer, Jeremy Cameron, Cam McCarthy
FF: Devon Smith, Adam Tomlinson, Lachie Whitfield
R: Tom Downie, Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio
Interchange: James Stewart, Lachie Plowman, Zac Williams, Josh Kelly
In: Adam Kennedy, Devon Smith, Adam Tomlinson, Tom Downie, James Stewart, Lachie Plowman
Out: Joel Patfull (soreness), Jonny Patton (rested), Andrew Phillips (shoulder), Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee), Nick Haynes (groin), Rory Lobb (omitted)
Emergencies: Paul Ahern, Jarrod Pickett, Rory Lobb
