Lance Franklin and Luke Parker back as GWS Giants make four changes
LANCE Franklin and Luke Parker are back for the Swans but Leon Cameron has sprung a surprise recalling four players for Saturday’s elimination final at the SCG. SEE THE TEAMS
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LANCE Franklin and Luke Parker are back for the Swans but the Giants have sprung a surprise by recalling four players for Saturday’s elimination final at the SCG.
GWS coach Leon Cameron has named Brett Deledio, Toby Greene, Zac Williams and Matt de Boer — all have had serious injury concerns this year.
Williams has not played any senior football this season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in February.
Greene’s foot and hamstring injuries have restricted him to just seven games and de Boer has chalked up 13 after hamstring troubles.
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Deledio is the biggest shock after playing just 16 games in the last two years (nine this season) as he suffered a series of calf and Achilles injuries.
“Brett no doubt has had some interruptions but the way he’s moved over the last three weeks has been terrific,” Cameron said. “We are confident he can make an impact and that will be around the midfield and a little bit forward as well.”
Greene’s inclusion is more predictable. The Giants have not lost in the seven matches he has played in this year which included their win over Richmond in round 17.
“I think we’ve learnt a lesson or two,” Cameron said. “I think everyone does in the AFL about when you bring back your players. Earlier in the year maybe we rushed him on a couple of occasions but we’ve trained him hard over the last few weeks.
“He could have played the Melbourne game but we gave him a couple of extra weeks of training. It’s been his best block of training this year and we’re confident he can have an impact.”
DeBoer was one of four players injured in the round 20 win over Carlton.
“Matt is different because he’s had a really good solid year and played a lot of footy,” Cameron said.
“The last six or seven weeks have been interrupted but he could have played the Melbourne game but we gave him an extra couple of weeks training. He’s naturally fit and plays a lot of game time.”
While Williams hasn’t played senior football this year he has played the last two NEAFL matches.
“It’s not as if we’ve rushed him back,” Cameron said.
“He’s just been on schedule. It’s six-and-a-half months to seven on from the Achilles injury so everything has gone to plan.
“His rehab has gone really well and he’s been training for six weeks. Even if there was another NEAFL game he wouldn’t be playing, he would be in the AFL. I’m confident he’s ready to go it just happens to be a final.”
Lachlan Keeffe, Jeremy Finlayson, Daniel Lloyd and Aiden Bonar have all been omitted from GWS’s side. Robbie Fox and Jordan Dawson have made way in the Swans line-up for Franklin and Parker.
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Originally published as Lance Franklin and Luke Parker back as GWS Giants make four changes
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