The return of Jake Riccardi, Ollie Hannaford, and Ryan Hebron headline six inclusions for the GIANTS’ big clash with Southport on Saturday.
Riccardi returns after more than two months on the sidelines following ankle surgery on a syndesmosis injury suffered back in the AFL side’s round 11 win over the Lions.
Hannaford will also make his way back from injury on Saturday, with the talented youngster playing his first game in a month after recovering from a foot injury.
The AFL duo adds some much-needed firepower to a VFL side looking to get back on the winners’ list as the race to finish inside the top 10 heats up with just three rounds remaining.
The VFL skipper is also a much-welcomed addition this weekend, with Hebron looking to continue his strong campaign up forward after spending four weeks recovering from a dislocated elbow suffered last month.
Also entering the side this week are Lachlan McArthur, Declan Fitzgerald, and talented GIANTS Academy teenager Aiden Henderson who will make his VFL debut.
Exiting this week’s team are Joey Delana (AFL), Harry Oliver (injured), Toby Hunt, Trent Dennis-Lane, Jerome Lawrence, and Billy Foster (omitted).
Currently sitting sixth at 9-6 on the season, Saturday’s clash with the Sharks (13th, 7-7) is crucial to the GIANTS’ post-season chances.
Highlighting the incredible congestion of the VFL ladder with just three games remaining, just two games separate Frankton in fifth and Footscray in 14th as several sides battle it out to finish inside the top 10.
Saturday’s big game will get under way at 11:05am in Southport.
VFL - Round 19
Southport v GIANTS
Saturday, August 1 at 11:05am
Fankhauser Reserve | Yugambeh
FB: Kye Pfrengle, Nick Kelly, Riley Dillon
HB: Finn Davis, Oskar Taylor, Lachlan McArthur
C: Sam McMeeken, Toby McMullin, Tom Hitchens
HF: Ollie Hannaford, Cody Angove, Lachlan Grubb
FF: Jake Riccardi, Ryan Hebron, Hugo Birks
RR: Reeve Simmons, Harvey Hooper, Mitch Szybkowski
Interchange: Declan Fitzgerald, Cameron Edwards, Ethan Roberts, Aiden Henderson, Brody Kane
In: Jake Riccardi, Ollie Hannaford, Ryan Hebron, Lachlan McArthur, Declan Fitzgerald, Aiden Henderson (VFL debut)
Out: Joey Delana (AFL), Harry Oliver (injured), Toby Hunt, Trent Dennis-Lane, Billy Foster, Jerome Lawrence (omitted)
