The GIANTS will welcome back co-captain Phil Davis for their clash with Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Sunday as one of five inclusions to the team.

Davis has recovered ahead of schedule from an ankle injury and will take his place in the GIANTS backline alongside recently re-signed defender Matt Buntine who missed last week’s match with concussion.

West Australian product Nathan Wilson adds defensive dash to the side after a strong month for the UWS GIANTS in the NEAFL.



After kicking just six goals in the loss to Geelong last weekend, tall forward James Stewart and enigmatic goal-kicker Will Hoskin-Elliott have also been included for the trip west.

“Phil was originally expected to return late in the season so to get him back after six weeks to lead our backline is great for the side,” coach Leon Cameron said.

“Matty Buntine just wasn’t right last week but he’s fully recovered from his concussion now and ready to go.

“Nathan, James and Will have all been in strong NEAFL form and knocking the door down so they’ve got their opportunity this week and we’re excited to see what they can produce.”

As revealed in Thursday’s squad announcement, Nick Haynes (groin), Devon Smith (knee) and Zac Williams (hamstring) will miss this week with injury.

Experienced forward Rhys Palmer has failed to recover from a corked hamstring that forced him to be subbed out of the first quarter of last weekend’s match, while defender Curtly Hampton has been omitted.

Palmer was withdrawn from the team on Friday with draftee Jarrod Pickett added to the squad. Hampton and Andrew Phillips drop out of the squad named on Thursday and become emergencies alongside Pickett.

The GIANTS will head west trying to get their first win at Domain Stadium in their short history. Cameron knows it will be a tough task against the competition’s benchmark in the Dockers.

“It hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for us whether we play the Eagles or the Dockers,” Cameron said.

“Part of our improvement this year is 120 minutes of footy, whether we win the game or lose the game is irrelevant at times.

“We’ve done it for most of the year and we have to do it against a really good, quality side in Fremantle. We’ve just got to play good footy in all parts of the ground.”

The ninth-placed GIANTS take on ladder leaders Fremantle at Domain Stadium in Perth on Sunday August 2 at 4.40pm EST with live coverage on Fox Footy and 7mate across NSW and the ACT from 4.30pm.

Fremantle Dockers v GWS GIANTS

Sunday August 2, 4.40pm EST
Domain Stadium, Perth



GWS GIANTS

FB: Nathan Wilson, Adam Tomlinson, Joel Patfull

HB: Toby Greene, Aidan Corr, Heath Shaw

C: Lachie Whitfield, Callan Ward, Adam Treloar
HF: Tom Scully, Jeremy Cameron, Ryan Griffen

FF: Jed Lamb, Rory Lobb, Josh Kelly

R: Tom Downie, Stephen Coniglio, Jack Steele



Interchange: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Phil Davis, James Stewart, Matt Buntine


In: Phil Davis, Matt Buntine, Nathan Wilson, James Stewart, Will Hoskin-Elliott


Out: Nick Haynes (groin), Devon Smith (knee), Zac Williams (hamstring), Rhys Palmer (hamstring), Curtly Hampton (omitted)

Emergencies: Curtly Hampton, Jarrod Pickett, Andrew Phillips