The GIANTS have made two changes to their side to take on Fremantle, who are travelling to Spotless Stadium for the first time on Saturday afternoon. 

After another big week at the selection table, coach Leon Cameron has recalled running defender Nathan Wilson and young midfielder Jacob Hopper for this week’s clash. 

“It was a really tough week, our NEAFL won by a big margin and there’s been some really good players playing some good footy,” Cameron said. 

“These guys have got to perform really, really well because as we know, towards the pointy end of the season it’s getting tougher and tougher for selection.”

Out of the side go defender Adam Kennedy and midfielder Matt Kennedy, both of whom Cameron says were “unlucky” to lose their spots.

Kennedy was concussed late in last round’s loss to West Coast but is expected to play in the NEAFL this weekend.

Wilson comes back into the team after being dropped to the NEAFL last week. He picked up 29 touches, including 18 kicks, and returns to play his 50th AFL game.

After being one of the first players to sign with the club as a 17-year-old access selection, he’ll celebrate the milestone with fellow running back Zac Williams who has his own slice of history as the first GIANTS Academy graduate to play for the club.

“I think it’s a great story. The two of them get along really well, they’re popular members of our footy club,” Cameron said.

“Nathan’s had a break-out year, his form has just dropped away in the last month or so - he’s the first to admit that.

“But having him and Zac play their 50th games together is great for those two boys but also great for our footy club.

“There’s no doubt their ability to move the ball from the back half to the front half is a highlight. It’s going to be tough against Fremantle, they have a really good defence, but I’m expecting those boys to have an impact on the weekend.”

After six consecutive games since making his AFL debut in round eight, last year’s number seven draft pick Hopper returns to the GIANTS side after a minor stress fracture kept him on the sidelines for six weeks.

Since returning to the NEAFL side a fortnight ago, Hopper picked up 27 touches, four marks and four goals in his first game back before 37 disposals, five tackles and two goals in last weekend’s match. 

“He’s played some really good footy,” Cameron said. 

“We’ve earmarked Jacob this week in a certain role we feel as though we can get an advantage out of. 

“He’s in good form which is great, he’s rehabbed really well after being out for six weeks and the boys look forward to having him back in the team.”

The GIANTS play their final home game of the regular season at Spotless Stadium on Saturday, a venue where the Dockers are yet to play.

When the two sides met in round seven earlier this year, the GIANTS secured their first win in Western Australia and their first over the Dockers.

“It was a really good game in WA, there was only a goal the difference with four or five minutes to go,” Cameron said.

“It was a good clash, it was great we won for the first time ever in Perth but it’s a different set of circumstances this weekend.

“We were disappointed last weekend because the game was there for us to take and West Coast took it but we learned a lot from it, we reviewed the game really thoroughly in the early part of the week and we’ve moved on to Fremantle.

“We look forward to taking them on on Saturday at our home ground.”

This week will celebrate Members Appreciation Round with a host of activities as well as a massive post match event at GIANTS HQ with the People’s Presser, a huge signing session, the exclusive release of finals merchandise as well as a live and intimate performance from Shannon Noll. 

The GIANTS take on Fremantle at Spotless Stadium on Saturday, August 20 at 4.35pm.

GWS GIANTS v Fremantle
Saturday August 20, 4.35pm
Spotless Stadium

GWS GIANTS

FB: Josh Kelly, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
HB: Joel Patfull, Nick Haynes, Jonathon Patton
C: Ryan Griffen, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Toby Greene, Rory Lobb, Steve Johnson
FF: Devon Smith, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Scully
RR: Shane Mumford, Stephen Coniglio, Zac Williams

Interchange: Jacob Hopper, Adam Tomlinson, Dylan Shiel, Nathan Wilson

In: Nathan Wilson, Jacob Hopper
Out: Adam Kennedy, Matt Kennedy (omitted)

Emergencies: Jack Steele, Matt Kennedy, Matt Buntine