Star recruits Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull will both make their debut for the GIANTS in Saturday’s NAB Challenge match against the Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The GIANTS have named a strong line up with young stars Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Stephen Coniglio among the 29-man squad.
Co-captain Phil Davis, who signed a new two-year contract extension this week, along with fellow captain Callan Ward will also line up against the Suns.
Only one 2014 draftee, PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy graduate Jack Steele, has been named in the squad with the 19-year-old impressing over pre-season and in the GIANTS' intra-club match last week.
Young GIANTS Andrew Phillips, Cam McCarthy, Jake Barrett, Rory Lobb and Zac Williams have all been given the opportunity to stake their claims for a Round 1 spot.
Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw, Adam Treloar, Devon Smith and Rhys Palmer have been left out for the first NAB Challenge match after coach Leon Cameron indicated players’ workloads would be managed throughout the three week pre-season campaign.
Cameron said he’s looking forward to Saturday’s NAB Challenge match.
“It’s been a long pre-season and it’s exciting to be playing games again,” he said.
“It’s terrific to have Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull ready to play their first games for the GIANTS and they’ll add further experience to our young team.
“Jack Steele has had a fantastic pre-season after joining us from the PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy and deserves his spot in the squad to take on the Suns too.
“The players are really looking forward to the match and we hope to see plenty of our supporters at Blacktown on Saturday.”
The 29-man squad will be cut to 26 with the final team and substitutes to be named prior to the game on Saturday. There will be six players on the bench and two starting substitutes with unlimited interchanges during the match.
The game will be played at Blacktown International Sportspark at 4.10pm on Saturday with free entry for all GIANTS members with game access passes. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster and start from just $18 for an adult and $4 for a junior.
For those who can’t make it, GIANTS TV will have the entire match live streamed on gwsgiants.com.au with expert commentary.
A full replay will also be available on the website after the game and updates will also be posted on the GIANTS' Twitter and Facebook pages throughout the afternoon.
GWS GIANTS v Gold Coast Suns
Saturday March 7, 4.10pm
Blacktown International Sportspark
GWS GIANTS squad
1. Phil Davis
2. Curtly Hampton
3. Stephen Coniglio
4. Toby Greene
5. Dylan Shiel
6. Lachie Whitfield
8. Callan Ward
9. Jed Lamb
14. Tomas Bugg
15. Tim Golds
16. Nathan Wilson
18. Jeremy Cameron
19. Nick Haynes
20. Adam Tomlinson
21. Matt Buntine
22. Josh Kelly
24. Joel Patfull
25. Cam McCarthy
27. Andrew Phillips
29. Zac Williams
31. Jacob Townsend
32. Ryan Griffen
33. Will Hoskin-Elliott
35. Aidan Corr
37. Rory Lobb
38. Jack Steele
40. Adam Kennedy
43. Jake Barrett
44. Tom Downie
Stars Named For NAB Challenge
Star recruits Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull will make their debut for the GIANTS in Saturday’s NAB Challenge match against the Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown International Sportspark.
