The GWS GIANTS will line up for their first ever game against an AFL club in just two days. Blacktown Olympic Park will be packed on Saturday night as the GIANTS take on the Sydney Swans and Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night.
Excitement for Saturday’s clash is building among the GIANTS playing group as they prepare for the biggest game of their careers so far. Ahead of the boys' first NAB Cup match, GIANTS reporter Bec Mills caught up with Gerald Ugle and Kurt Aylett to get some insight into the thoughts and preparations inside the GIANTS camp.
So boys, how are you feeling with the NAB Cup two days away?
Kurt: “All of the GIANTS are in the same situation; we're all really looking forward to the challenge and can't wait to get out there.”
Gerald: “I'm pretty nervous but it will be a great experience to play against some more experienced players from the Swans and from the Gold Coast as well.”
What have you been doing to prepare for the game?
Kurt: “I guess as much as I'm physically preparing for the weekend, I'm mentally preparing for it as well. I've really been working hard at training; I pride myself on my work ethic. I like to give a hundred and ten percent when I'm training and when I play as well, so that's my main focus for the week.”
If you could choose someone to line up on, is there anyone that you would single out?
Kurt: “I don't mind who I play on, I know that it will be a challenge for me no matter who it is. We're going to be playing on better players than us so it's going to be a really good learning curve and I'm looking forward to it.”
Is your family coming to watch?
Kurt: “I’ve got a lot of family coming but the ones who are definite are my mum, dad, my eldest brother, my brother’s girlfriend and my grandma and grandpa, there might be a few more too but they’re not for sure yet.”
Gerald: “My mum is coming to watch which will be good. I'm really looking forward to getting to spend some time with her this weekend.”
Do you have any pre-game rituals that you’ll be going through before the game?
Gerald: “I usually do the same thing every week before a game which is eating my eggs and spaghetti, so I’ll be doing that on Saturday night.”
Gerald, you were going to play alongside some of the Indigenous players in the All Stars match in Alice Springs before it was cancelled, now you are going to play against them, how do you feel about that?
"It will be good to help make up for missing out on that. There were a lot of boys from the Swans and Gold Coast that were going to play in the All Stars game. It would have been good to play with them but I could still get a chance to do that in the next few years. It will be fun to run out and play against them as well."
NAB Cup tickets available through www.ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 136 100 and can also be purchased at the gate.
