Greater Western Sydney will unveil one of their prize youngsters against St Kilda on Saturday, but have opted against playing established midfielder Tom Scully.
AFL No.2 draft pick Josh Kelly will have his first run in the seniors, having already earned the respect of his coach Leon Cameron and new teammates for his professionalism and work ethic.
Cameron said 19-year-old Kelly was a creative midfielder who could win ball inside and outside and had enormous running ability, though at around 75 kilos he is slightly framed.
“We understand as the years go on he’s going to build up his frame and put on some more weight to absorb the hustle and bustle of playing in the midfield,” Cameron said of Kelly.
“But we’re rapt to have him at our footy club. He’s fitted in really well.
“All of his teammates love having him around.”
Last year’s No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd, whose pre-season has been interrupted by a minor quadriceps injury, will have his first Giants start in their reserves on Saturday, against an ACT under-23 representative team in Canberra.
Scully has pulled up with a sore ankle after playing in the Giants’ first NAB Challenge fixture against Sydney and has only been listed as an emergency for the game in Wagga Wagga.
Defender Matt Buntine was also left out after suffering concussion against the Swans.
The Saints’ two most experienced players, Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes, are each listed to have their first pre-season hit-out on Saturday.
Cameron is looking for his side to build on the promise they displayed in their 40-point loss to Sydney.
“We were rapt with some of the things in terms of maintaining the ball a little bit longer than probably what we did last year, a lot more inside 50s,” Cameron said.
“We thought we matched it in terms of contested ball for periods of the game against the Swans.
“We do know that from centre forward our ball movement needs to probably be a little bit better in terms of whether we’re kicking it long or hitting it up short.
“But I think that will come with games played with our young forward group and our young midfield group.”
