GWS will unveil certainly one of their prized first-round draft picks when academy graduate Harry Rowston makes his AFL debut in opposition to West Coast in spherical two.
Originally from Griffith in southern NSW, Rowston was on the centre of a daring play from Sydney ultimately November’s nationwide draft earlier than becoming a member of the Giants.
The Swans had a choose swap proposal rejected by their Harbour City rivals as they sought to swoop in to grab Rowston, after which made a bid on him.
The bid was instantly matched by GWS, who had first name on Rowston and have been desirous to safe the prolific midfielder, who spent years of their junior academy.
“It was pretty exciting,” Rowston recalled on Friday.
“The Giants told me they were going to match the bid whenever it came.
“It took just a little longer than I hoped and I obtained just a little bit nervous, but it surely was completely surreal.”
At pick 16 overall, Rowston was one of five Giants selections in the first two rounds after they took key forward Aaron Cadman at No.1.
Cadman has also been earmarked for an early-season debut but is yet to force his way into the GWS forward line, with Harry Himmelberg, Jesse Hogan and Jake Riccardi sitting above him in the pecking order.
Rowston becomes the first Giants player to debut under new coach Adam Kingsley, who led GWS to victory over Adelaide in his first game at the helm.
“I have never slept all week,” Rowston said, having been told of his selection by captain Toby Greene at Friday’s team meeting.
“To lastly know, I could not be happier.”
Kingsley hopes to keep his unbeaten start alive against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
But injuries have thrown a spanner in the works, with key players Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield ruled out because of concussion and Harry Perryman sidelined by a hamstring issue.
Adam Kennedy and second-year defender Cooper Hamilton have been recalled to take on the Eagles, with Kennedy to play his 150th game.
West Coast dropped Callum Jamieson, Xavier O’Neill and Jack Petruccelle, recalling Jake Waterman and Sam Petrevski-Seton.
Joel Amartey has replaced suspended Sydney superstar Lance Franklin for their SCG clash with Hawthorn, who have lost silky forward Chad Wingard to a minor calf injury.
Gold Coast speedster Lachie Weller will return against Essendon, almost a year after rupturing an ACL.
Malcolm Rosas has also been called up for the Suns, who have dropped Mabior Chol, Jy Farrar and Alex Davies.
Essendon have left out Jake Stringer, who has recovered from a hamstring injury but needs to regain fitness, while Sam Weideman has been named despite concerns over a toe injury.
Bombers cult hero Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is out with quadriceps soreness.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
