Star forward Jeremy Cameron will play his first game of the season while three players have been added to an extended interchange as the GIANTS travel to Etihad Stadium to take on St Kilda on Sunday afternoon.
As flagged by Leon Cameron in his weekly media conference on Thursday morning, the four-time leading goalkicker comes straight back in to the senior side after serving a four-week suspension.
“He wants to make up for a little bit of lost time,” Leon Cameron said.
“There's some times he'll be a bit rusty, because missing four games is a fair chunk, but we're really excited that he's back into our team, and he's an integral part of our forward line.”
Cameron is the only confirmed inclusion with small forward Devon Smith, defender Nick Haynes and draftee Jacob Hopper included on the extended bench.
Smith has been named in the squad after missing last week’s game with a knee complaint. He trained strongly all week and Leon Cameron said on Thursday they would see how the young leader pulled up tomorrow.
Haynes could also return after coming back through the NEAFL following pre-season groin surgery. The 23-year-old has now played two full games in the reserves, even sneaking forward to kick a goal last week.
“He’s getting there, we could bring him in straight away but the back seven have been pretty good so we’re tossing up,” Cameron said.
“He’s ready to go but guys like Davis and Patfull and Buntine are playing some pretty good footy … He needs an opening.”
For the second week in a row, last year’s number seven pick Jacob Hopper has been named in the squad. The 19-year-old had 38 touches and two goals in the NEAFL last week as he inches close to his AFL debut.
“It’s hard to make many changes when you’ve had a really good win, you support the guys who have played their role and done the job,” Cameron said.
“(But) Jacob could come in tomorrow. He’s in really good form, he got an enormous amount of the ball last week, he hit the scoreboard, we’re really rapt with the way he’s going.
“He’s ready for AFL footy. He’s now waiting for his opportunity and there’s no doubt it will come in the next few weeks. We’re really looking forward to seeing what he can do at AFL level.”
The only confirmed out at this stage is utility Adam Tomlinson who has been omitted.
Cameron is under no illusions that it’ll be a tough task facing the in-form Saints on their home deck.
"It does take an enormous amount of good footy to push Hawthorn, especially in Tassie – they just don't get beaten down there, so they could probably count themselves unlucky, St Kilda," Cameron said.
"They're playing some good footy. They knocked off Collingwood by five goals so they're in good form.
"They could quite easily be 2-2 or 3-1 so we're under no illusions that this is a huge game for both clubs.
"If we don't bring some really good pressure and match their pressure then we'll get carved up.”
The GIANTS take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 1.10pm with live coverage on 7mate in NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy all across Australia.
The final side will be named first on gwsgiants.com.au at 5pm on Friday.
GIANTS SQUAD
FB: Adam Kennedy, Joel Patfull, Matt Buntine
HB: Nathan Wilson, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
C: Toby Greene, Dylan Shiel, Josh kelly
HF: Ryan Griffen, Rory Lobb, Lachie Whitfield
FF: Steve Johnson, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Scully
R: Shane Mumford, Jack Steele, Callan Ward
Interchange (from): Rhys Palmer, Jacob Hopper, Nick Haynes, Devon Smith, Jonathon Patton, Stephen Coniglio, Zac Williams
