Midfielder Mark Whiley and utility James Stewart will play their first AFL games of the season when the GIANTS play Melbourne at the MCG this Sunday.

The duo come into the team alongside defender Nathan Wilson who returns for his first match since Round 15.
Defender Zac Williams, midfielder Tim Golds and forward Jed Lamb have all been omitted.

Whiley comes into the side after gathering 41 possessions and kicking two goals for the UWS GIANTS in the NEAFL last week, while James Stewart will play just his second senior match after some strong NEAFL form.

Head Coach Leon Cameron says he’s impressed with the depth at the GIANTS at the moment.

“Mark Whiley has been in tremendous form all year and has been very unlucky not to be playing AFL football earlier, but it’s great to see he gets his opportunity in the midfield this week and James Stewart has really taken to the wing in the last six or seven weeks and has been in good form."

“We’ve played some good football at the MCG in the last couple of years, but we’re yet to salute there so we’re looking forward to Sunday against the Demons and hopefully we can put together a four quarter performance.

“It’s a great opportunity for two young sides that are developing to have a fair dinkum crack and I think there’ll be some sore bodies on Sunday night from both sides because I think it’s going to be full on footy."

The GIANTS will play Melbourne at the MCG this Sunday, August 17 at 3.20pm AEST. The match will be shown live in NSW and the ACT on 7mate and Fox Sports 3.