Superstar forward Toby Greene will get his first taste of football for the 2019 season when he takes on the Adelaide Crows at UNSW Canberra Oval on Friday night.
Greene joins versatile utility Adam Tomlinson in lining up for the GIANTS in their second JLT Community Series clash in the nation’s capital.
GIANTS coach Leon Cameron will once again relinquish the head coaching reins to senior assistant Matthew Nicks, but welcomed the inclusion of the experienced duo.
“Toby will come in and play some managed game time on Friday night which is the perfect preparation for the season for him,” Cameron said.
“After his ankle surgery in November, our medical team have been really cautious and built him up to make sure he’s ready for round one and they’ve done a terrific job.
“It’s also great to see Adam ready to go after his calf injury, he gives us great versatility and running power and is an important player for us.”
Vice-captain Stephen Coniglio will captain the side after fellow leadership-group member Matt de Boer was the man in change in week one.
Friday night’s final tune-up before round one will also give young draftees Jye Caldwell and Jackson Hately another taste of top-level action as they push their cases for an AFL debut.
Cameron said he’s looking forward to his side building on the connection they showed in last week’s win over the Swans.
“It’s great to see some of the young guys really putting pressure on spots ahead of round one,” he said.
“We had some good patches and some okay patches against the Swans and this week is really a chance to continue to build on the things we’ve worked on over summer.
“With a practice game and now two JLT Community Series matches, we’ve been able to get some really good game time into the majority of our list which is pleasing.
“Our Canberra fans always put on a good turn out so we’re looking forward to a competitive match on Friday night.”
Meanwhile, co-captain Callan Ward will miss Friday night’s clash and the opening rounds of the AFL season after injuring the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his knee in the opening minutes of last week’s match.
Ward played out the majority of the match however subsequent scans revealed a LCL strain.
Surgery is not required but the midfielder is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks to allow the knee to fully recover.
“It’s always disappointing to lose a player of the calibre of Callan Ward,” Cameron said.
“He’s been one of our most reliable and durable players over the years and has had a terrific pre-season.
“He’ll approach his rehab like he does everything else - at 100% - and we look forward to getting him back early in the season.”
The GIANTS take on the Adelaide Crows on Friday night at UNSW Canberra Oval, entry is free for GIANTS members.
JLT 2 Squad
1. Phil Davis
3. Stephen Coniglio
4. Toby Greene
5. Jye Caldwell
6. Lachie Whitfield
7. Brett Deledio
9. Jackson Hately
10. Aiden Bonar
13. Isaac Cumming
14. Tim Taranto
15. Sam Taylor
16. Brent Daniels
18. Jeremy Cameron
20. Adam Tomlinson
21. Matt Buntine
23. Heath Shaw
24. Matt de Boer
25. Lachlan Keeffe
26. Dawson Simpson
27. Harry Himmelberg
30. Matt Flynn
31. Jeremy Finlayson
36. Harry Perryman
38. Daniel Lloyd
40. Adam Kennedy
50. Sam Reid
