Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy has welcomed the potential return of Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett for the two AFL newcomers’ clash on Saturday, saying the Giants have the power to curb his influence.
Reports on Tuesday suggested Suns midfielders Ablett and Michael Rischitelli completed running drills and are in line for a recall on the weekend.
Sheedy seemed almost buoyed by the news, noting he wanted his young charges to be playing against the best in the league and that Ablett would help promote the game in Canberra.
And the four-time premiership coach believes his side might well be capable of lowering Ablett’s colours.
“We’re happy that Gary Ablett and the boys are coming to Canberra to play,” Sheedy said.
“We’re going to have to find a player to play on him and beat him, and I think we’ll do that.
“We’ve lost a few players in the tall capacity but we haven’t lost any players in the running division where Gary and Rischitelli play.”
Sheedy will have to make at least two changes to the side that lost to Carlton, with Setanta O’hAilpin (ruptured ACL) and Dean Brogan (arm) the enforced omissions.
Sheedy said it’s likely rookie-listed ruckman Andrew Phillips will make his AFL debut in the absence of Brogan, who is expected to miss at least six weeks.
Chad Cornes is a “60-40 or 70-30” chance to return, but Sheedy said he wouldn’t rush the veteran.
However, Israel Folau will return after missing the 67-point loss to the Blues with a virus.
The match will pit Folau against fellow ex-rugby league player Karmichael Hunt.
Folau got one up on Hunt when the Giants recorded their first win in 2012 against the Suns in the pre-season, and the upcoming Manuka Oval fixture is widely viewed as his side’s best chance to claim their first premiership points.
Sheedy downplayed the importance of the result.
“We have a lot of different winning measurements … (that) these kids have a crack is a very important thing for us,” he said at Skoda Stadium, where his club announced their July 28 clash with Collingwood would be a ‘Building Australia’ tribute game.
“(That) everyone’s out there putting their best effort in their first, or second or fifth game. We can’t ask for anymore than that. So we call that a win for a start.”