The GWS Giants have made four changes for their clash with Fremantle at Spotless Stadium on Saturday; the showpiece game for the 2017 Toyota AFL Multicultural Round.
Vice-captain Stephen Coniglio and star forward Jeremy Cameron will both return from injury for this week’s match.
Coniglio will play his first senior game since round eight after suffering a second syndesmosis ankle injury, while Cameron returns to the side after missing a fortnight with a tight hamstring.
“Stephen got through last week, had a good rehab and played 80 per cent of game time in the NEAFL so he’s ready to go and we expect him to come in and play his usual role in the midfield,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“Obviously the last few weeks have been disappointing for us but it’s great to also have Jeremy back in the side.
“He gives us a lot of forward pressure and he can hit the scoreboard but he’s also a spirit lifter for our team.”
Former Freo Docker Matt de Boer returns to the starting 22 to take on his old side while one of the club’s most popular players will play his first game in the orange and charcoal.
After extraordinary NEAFL form, ruckman Dawson Simpson will play his first game for the Giants after 28 games at Geelong. Simpson joined the Giants as a free agent at the end of 2015 and was one of the clubs’ most consistent players in their NEAFL premiership last year.
“It’s a story of persistence; he could quite easily have come in over the past couple of months, his form has been really good,” Cameron said.
“He gets his opportunity and he’ll be wanting to try and hold on to that opportunity for as long as he can and we look forward to that battle.
“He’s one of the most popular members of our footy club. On the field he competes really hard and off the field he galvanises the group. He’s a very popular figure amongst our footy club and we’re lucky to have him.”
Simpson replaces fellow ruckman Shane Mumford who is out of this week’s clash with an ankle injury. Steve Johnson will also miss this week with knee soreness.
Tendai Mzungu has been omitted while Toby Greene is sidelined for two weeks after being suspended for striking.
