Lachie Whitfield will miss the GIANTS’ clash with Brisbane on Sunday due to an illness.
The GIANTS announced forward Sam Reid would return to the starting line-up after Whitfield was withdrawn from the team to face the Lions at the Gabba.
Reid will play his third match of the season having not appeared in the starting 22 since the round 13 win over Essendon, during which he kicked a goal and collected 13 disposals.
The 26-year-old promoted rookie responded well to his omission, collecting 31 disposals and kicking two goals against Sydney University, and recording 22 possessions against Southport in the NEAFL.
Forward Rhys Palmer has been also been replaced in the side that lost to Collingwood last Saturday by young defender Harrison Himmelberg.
Himmelberg – a key defender – has been confirmed as the GIANTS’ third debutant of the season after being told by Leon Cameron he’d be playing his first game on Thursday morning.
Originally a mobile forward, the 20-year-old was selected with pick 16 at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft after the GIANTS matched a bid from Adelaide for the GIANTS Academy graduate.
Himmelberg is the third GIANTS Academy product to debut this year, behind number seven pick Jacob Hopper and number 13 pick Matthew Kennedy.
An over-age draftee, Himmelberg relocated from Mangoplah in the NSW Riverina and spent last season playing for Eastlake in the NEAFL.
Standing at 194cm and 87kg, Himmelberg has turned into a defender since arriving at the GIANTS and impressed with his ability to read the ball as well as his strong marking and clean foot skills.
Caleb Marchbank, Daniel Lloyd and Tom Downie have been named as the emergencies to travel North with the team.
The seventh-placed GIANTS take on the 17th-placed Lions in a Sunday twilight match at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Brisbane Lions v GWS GIANTS
Sunday July 17, 4.40pm
The Gabba
GWS GIANTS
FB: Nick Haynes, Joel Patfull, Heath Shaw
HB: Josh Kelly, Phil Davis, Adam Kennedy
C: Adam Tomlinson, Callan Ward, Zac Williams
HF: Steve Johnson, Jeremy Cameron, Rory Lobb
FF: Dylan Shiel, Jonathon Patton, Devon Smith
RR: Shane Mumford, Stephen Coniglio, Tom Scully
Interchange: Jack Steele, Harry Himmelberg, Toby Greene, Sam Reid
Emergencies: Caleb Marchbank, Daniel Lloyd, Tom Downie
In: Harry Himmelberg, Sam Reid
Out: Rhys Palmer (omitted), Lachie Whitfield (Illness)
