The GIANTS have called on Andrew Phillips and Rory Lobb to lead the ruck as part of six changes for Saturday’s game against North Melbourne at Spotless Stadium.
Experienced forward Rhys Palmer and young defender Aidan Corr also return to the team along with debutants Jack Steele and Caleb Marchbank.
A raft of injuries forced the fifth-placed GIANTS to make a number of changes with Shane Mumford (ankle), Phil Davis (ankle), Joel Patfull (ribs) and Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) out of the side along with James Stewart and Will Hoskin-Elliott who’ve been omitted.
It will be Phillips’ second game of the season and 12th of his career while 206cm ruckman Lobb will play his first game of the year after playing two games in 2014.
Coach Leon Cameron said it’ll be a big task for his two young ruckmen up against one of the AFL’s premier big men.
“It’s a big step up to play (Todd) Goldstein, who is probably arguably the best ruckman in the competition,” Cameron said.
“There’s no easy introduction and we’re really looking forward to seeing how that pans out.
“Phillips has been at the club for five years, Rory’s coming into his second year. Whether they’ve been playing forward or in the ruck, they’ve played some really good footy at NEAFL level.
“The guys deserve their opportunity.”
After missing seven weeks with a shoulder injury picked up in his 100th game, Palmer comes back into the side after 33 possessions for the UWS GIANTS last weekend.
195cm key defender Corr comes in to play his ninth game of the season after being named best on ground in the NEAFL last week.
18-year-old key defender and number six draft pick Marchbank will play his first game for the GIANTS along with 19-year-old tough midfielder Jack Steele, who was an Academy selection from Canberra out of the PM Capital GIANTS Academy last year.
The GIANTS are looking for their eighth win of the season and are undefeated at home this year, winning all three games at Spotless Stadium.
It’s the last game for both teams before the mid-season bye and Cameron expects a tough and physical contest on Saturday afternoon.
“They’re prelim finalists from last year and have had a pretty tough first half of the year in terms of their draw so it’s going to be a really hard game,” Cameron said.
“We’ve got the bye, they’ve got the bye, so I’m sure both sides are going to leave nothing in the tank and I think it’s going to be a cracking game.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for some young players playing their first game and some young rucks taking on a very, very good ruckman but we’re confident we can take it right up to them.”
The GIANTS play North Melbourne at Spotless Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday at 4.35pm with family passes starting from just $48. CLICK HERE to get your tickets now.
GWS GIANTS v North Melbourne Kangaroos
Saturday June 20, 4.35pm
Spotless Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
GWS GIANTS
FB: Nathan Wilson, Aidan Corr, Tommy Bugg
HB: Matt Buntine, Nick Haynes, Heath Shaw
C: Rhys Palmer, Callan Ward, Devon Smith
HF: Toby Greene, Cam McCarthy, Ryan Griffen
FF: Josh Kelly, Jeremy Cameron, Lachie Whitfield
R: Andrew Phillips, Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully
Interchange: Caleb Marchbank, Adam Treloar, Jack Steele, Rory Lobb
In: Rhys Palmer, Aidan Corr, Rory Lobb, Andrew Phillips, Jack Steele, Caleb Marchbank
Out: Shane Mumford (ankle), Phil Davis (ankle), Joel Patfull (ribs), Stephen Conilgio (shoulder), James Stewart (omitted), Will Hoskin-Elliott (omitted)
New: Caleb Marchbank (pick six, 2014 NAB AFL Draft), Jack Steele (pick 24 - PM Capital GIANTS Academy selection, 2014 NAB AFL Draft)
Emergencies: Curtly Hampton, Zac Williams, Jake Barrett
Palmer and Sauce With the Lot
The GIANTS have called on Andrew Phillips and Rory Lobb to lead the ruck as part of six changes for Saturday’s game against North Melbourne at Spotless Stadium.
