The UWS GIANTS venture to Wagga Wagga this weekend to take on top of the table Ainslie in Round 17 of the NEAFL - Eastern Conference at McPherson Oval.
The GIANTS have given an opportunity to a number of Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy players to step up to the NEAFL level and the game will feature a feast of local products including Sam Clyne (Wentworth), Nick Pleming (Coolamon), Jake Barrett (Temora), Sam Elwin (Temora), Zach Williams (Narrandera), Max King (Wagga), Lonnie Hampton (Albury), Isaac Damme (M.C.U.E), Tom Keogh (M.C.U.E), Michael Gibbons (Lavington) and Joseph Redfern (Wagga).
Wagga local, Joseph Redfern may spend a lot of his time in Sydney, where he currently plays for the Sydney Hills Eagles and Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy, but he told the GIANTS website he cannot wait to play in front of his home crowd.
"Yes, its great to play in front of my home crowd in Wagga, it's probably what I look forward to most, and I'm really excited playing for the GIANTS but also playing back in Wagga again," said Redfern.
"I always love to get back here every chance I can."
Redfern said the opportunity to step up to the NEAFL ranks was a great learning opportunity for the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy players.
"It's a step or two up in level from what a lot of the GIANTS Academy players generally play, coming from U18's or seniors and Reserve Grade in Wagga and other areas around here in the RFL," said Redfern.
"It's probably after the game where you learn the most; you get to see what it takes for these players who are on an AFL list and the level they play at every week.
"It's just a good insight into the life of what's its like to be an AFL player, and what level is required and how to conduct yourself."
Redfern said the GIANTS support is growing in the region, and Wagga are starting to adopt the club as their own.
"The AFL staff here in Wagga are doing a really good job in promoting the game and AFL Auskick programs and junior football especially and I think it's really great the GIANTS are investing a bit of money down here and come down here and play games each year," said Redfern.
"A lot of the young children are starting to learn more about the GIANTS and have their favourite GIANTS players"
