Academy product and local Canberran Josh Fahey will get his first start on Sunday in Hobart with the 19-year-old named in the 22 to take on North Melbourne.
Fahey has played the past two matches as the tactical substitute after making his debut in Geelong in round 11 and kicked a crucial last-quarter goal in last week’s narrow loss to the Tigers.
As revealed in squad selection on Thursday, star defender Nick Haynes will also return to take on the Kangaroos at Blundstone Arena.
Haynes missed the past two weeks following a concussion suffered against the Saints in round 10. A minor infection caused him to miss a second week, as he was unable to train and progress through the concussion protocols, but the foundation GIANT officially exited the protocols earlier this week.
The 193-game veteran has been at his best in season 2023, averaging 19 disposals across the backline, as well as taking almost nine marks a game.
Brent Daniels will miss this week’s match with injury while Aaron Cadman has been omitted.
Sunday’s match will also mark the 100-game milestone for journeyman Lachlan Keeffe.
The 33-year-old joined the GIANTS ahead of the 2018 season after playing 40 games over seven seasons for Collingwood.
Picked up as a delisted free agent, Keeffe had his best season yet as a GIANT in 2022, playing 18 games as a reliable key-position cog.
He returned to the senior side in round 11 this year, with this week’s milestone match his third for the season.
The GIANTS take on North Melbourne in Hobart on Sunday afternoon with live coverage on 7mate, Fox Footy and Kayo.
Match Details:
North Melbourne v GIANTS
Sunday, June 11 at 3:20pm
Blundstone Arena | Palawa Country
Team
FB: Nick Haynes, Lachlan Keeffe, Connor Idun
HB: Lachie Whitfield, Jack Buckley, Lachie Ash
C: Finn Callaghan, Harry Perryman, Ryan Angwin
HF: Daniel Lloyd, Jake Riccardi, Toby Greene
FF: Xavier O’Halloran, Jesse Hogan, Toby Bedford
RR: Kieren Briggs, Tom Green, Stephen Coniglio
Interchange: Callan Ward, Callum Brown, Harry Himmelberg, Josh Fahey
In: Nick Haynes, Josh Fahey
Out: Brent Daniels (hamstring), Aaron Cadman (omitted)
Emergencies: Aaron Cadman, Cameron Fleeton, Matt Flynn, Harry Rowston
