An unsuspecting GIANT received a call from Welfare Manager, Craig Lambert on Thursday night, telling him to pack his bags for Fremantle.

Leeton’s Kurt Aylett had been named on the extended, 25-man bench for Sunday's clash and was having dinner with three of his GIANTS teammates.

Aylett has been on the comeback trail since tearing his ACL in August 2011 and will now become the 34th GIANT to make his debut in 2012, equalling the number of debutants that the Gold Coast SUNS had in their inaugural season.

“I was pretty overwhelmed at the time but I’m very excited. I’m a little bit nervous but I’m ready to go over there and have a crack,” Aylett said.

The talented nineteen-year-old from Southern NSW said that while almost a year in rehab was tough, he never doubted that this day would come.

“Obviously you worry about the knee but I grew a lot and found a lot of self belief in rehab. I know that I’ve done all the work to the letter.

“It has made me stronger as a person.”

Aylett said that he was grateful for the support and advice he has received while recovering from his knee reconstruction but said that it was hard to pin point one moment that stood out from the others.

“I’ve had so much advice which has been fantastic.

“Justin Leppitsch and Nathan Brown, who have both been through similar injuries have spoken to me. The main thing that stood out was just to be patient and not rush.

“I’ve had that mind set from the beginning.

“I’m back playing now which is fantastic but I’ve still got a long way to go, it’s going to take time.

“It would be great to play most of the games for the rest of the year and prepare myself for my first pre season.

“I have a lot to look forward to.”

PRESS PLAY to hear from Kurt