The GWS Giants will be looking to make it three straight wins when they take on the Essendon Bombers tonight, Friday 7 August at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The Giants are coming off their most complete performance of the season against the Gold Coast Suns as they won their first inside 50 count of the season and played the match on their terms.
They have been forced into changes with Toby Greene and Matt de Boer out with hamstring injuries, while ruckman Sam Jacobs has been managed as the Giants are coming off a five-day break.
Shane Mumford replaces Jacobs in the ruck while former captain Callan Ward returns to the side and Xavier O’Halloran has been named to make his AFL debut.
O’Halloran was taken pick 22 in the 2018 AFL draft and is seen as a hard-running midfielder who can also play up forward.
With the Giants’ abundance of midfield talent, expect to see O’Halloran using his speed to create pressure in the forward line.
The Giants midfield was at their best against the Suns last round with seven players recording 20 disposals or more.
The major difference to their side last week was the inclusion of Zac Williams, who added a different element to the team with his willingness to take the game on using his pace.
Their opponents, the Bombers, will be desperate to bounce back after their 63-point loss to the Brisbane Lions last round that put a real dent in their final’s aspirations.
The Bombers were in the top four three weeks ago with many penciling them in for finals already, but two heavy defeats and a lucky escape against the winless Adelaide Crows has seen them slip to 10th on the ladder and in real danger of missing the finals.
John Worsfold has responded to his side’s poor form by making four changes.
Conor Mckenna, Kyle Langford, Matt Guelfi and Shaun McKernan have been named to replace Brayden Ham, Martin Gleeson and Ned Cahill who have all been dropped while ruckman Tom Bellchambers has been managed.
Full teams:
| Giants | Bombers | ||
| FB: | Heath Shaw | Phil Davis | Aidan Corr |
| Aaron Francis | Michael Hurley | Brandon Zerk-Thatcher | |
| HB: | Nick Haynes | Lachlan Keefe | Zac Williams |
| Jordan Ridley | Conor McKenna | Adam Saad | |
| C: | Lachie Whitfield | Stephen Coniglio | Harry Perryman |
| Tom Cutler | Darcy Parish | Matt Guelfi | |
| HF: | Josh Kelly | Harry Himmelberg | Brent Daniels |
| Will Snelling | Jacob Townsend | David Zaharakis | |
| FF: | Jeremy Finlayson | Jeremy Cameron | Callan Ward |
| Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti | Shaun McKernan | Kyle Langford | |
| RR: | Shane Mumford | Tim Taranto | Jacob Hopper |
| Sam Draper | Zach Merrett | Andrew McGrath | |
| Int: | Jye Caldwell | Lachie Ash | Zac Langdon |
| Xavier O’Halloran | |||
| Int: | James Stewart | Mason Redman | Devon Smith |
| Dylan Shiel |
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