Greater Western Sydney GIANTS recruit; Israel Folau is set to make his AFL debut on Saturday night. Folau will line up for the GIANTS in the club’s final NAB Challenge match for 2011, against Port Adelaide at Willaston Oval at 4pm on Saturday.
Folau has been working to recover from an ankle injury that resulted in him undergoing surgery late last year. He was named in the GIANTS squad at 12pm Thursday after proving his fitness at the Club’s main training session on Wednesday afternoon.
At a press conference at Blacktown Olympic Park today, Folau shared his excitement about Saturday’s game with the media, telling them that with his rehabilitation over, he’s looking forward to going out and playing football.
“It’s been quite a build up over the last few months and now the time has arrived for me to play my first game on Saturday. It’s a pretty exciting time for me and also for the club.
“I just can’t wait to get out there on Saturday and give it a really good crack.
“I’m probably looking to play at the back, probably centre half back, that’s where I’ve been training so far. Saturday will be a good chance for me to see where I’m at in terms of what I’ve been doing for the past few months.
“I was pretty confident I’d play at the start of the week. After yesterday’s training, the medical staff gave me the nod and said I could play on Saturday, which is great news for me.
“My ankle feels pretty good now, I’ve been doing rehab on it for the last few months and it feels pretty strong now so I’ll go out on Saturday and test it out.
“It’s important to know who you are playing on but my focus is mainly on myself at the moment. I’ll see how I go and look at how I can improve,” Folau said.
GIANTS CEO, Dale Holmes echoed the sentiments inside the club, telling the media that he was excited about seeing Folau run out for the GIANTS on Saturday night and commending the recruit on his progress.
“These are exciting times for the GIANTS. Over the last three or four months Izzy has been working hard and he’s up to the stage now where he’s ready to run out for his first match.
“I know that Izzy is really excited. I’ve been really proud of him in terms of the way he’s been able to promote our club.
“He’s also done an enormous amount of work in the community. He does it willingly; he does it with grace and good will and is the perfect role model for the young players that we have at our club.
“We are very proud of him, the courage that he has shown to come across and the way that he has represented the club has been first class.
“Now it’s time for him to get out and play,” Holmes said.
To view vision of Thursday's press conference, click here.
To view Izzy’s personal message to GIANTS fans, click here.
Port Adelaide v GSW Giants
Willaston Oval, Willaston
Saturday March 12, 4:00pm
Ticketing Information: All tickets will be general admission
Where to purchase tickets:
Terry White Chemist
94 Murray Street, Gawler
SANFL
Main Administration Building, Gate J
Turner Drive, West Lakes
GIANT Foundation Members:
Members can show their membership cards at any gate to obtain entry.
