Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis and Luke Breust close in on GWS's Callan Ward at the MCG.
The Greater Western Sydney Giants will welcome back co-captain Callan Ward for Saturday night’s NAB Cup match against the Brisbane Lions at Wagga Wagga.
Ward, who missed last weekend’s opening round matches at Blacktown with a minor knee injury, comes into the 24-man-squad along with former Carlton defender Bret Thornton who will make his debut for the Giants.
Ward will lead the side under the lights at Robertson Oval with co-captain Phil Davis being rested.
Among the other changes from last week’s 34 man squad, Tom Scully will miss one week with a minor knee injury and Matt Buntine has been ruled out for eight weeks with a punctured lung.
Senior assistant coach Leon Cameron welcomed Ward back to the side after missing the Giants first ever win against the Swans by 24 points last Sunday.
‘‘We’ve got a couple of big names resuming and none bigger than our captain Callan Ward,’’ Cameron said.
‘‘We all love Callan and the way he goes about his footy and it’s great to see him back.
‘‘We’ve also got a mature age recruit coming in with Bret Thornton.
‘‘We’re very much looking forward to seeing what he can produce for the Giants this weekend.’’
It will be the first ever NAB Cup match at Robertson Oval featuring the Giants who will be represented by four players from the Riverina.
‘‘To have Anthony Miles, Kurt Aylett, Jacob Townsend, and Mark Whiley all from the Riverina playing this weekend and representing our footy club is great and they’re very much looking forward to strutting their stuff on Saturday night,” Cameron said.
‘‘This is a big event for Wagga and the GIANTS are proud of our partnership with the city which has a great sporting history and we look forward to playing in front a capacity crowd at Robertson Oval.’’
The match between the Giants and the Brisbane Lions will be streamed live on Giants TV at gwsgiants.com.au on Saturday night from 7pm.
To watch the interview with Cameron go to gwsgiants.com.au.