Giants spoiled for choice
GREATER Western Sydney’s season-long search for its best 22 continues.
Coach Leon Cameron is likely to change a winning side yet again for the ladder-shaping clash with Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.
Injuries, suspensions and patchy form have ruined Cameron’s hopes of having a settled team at any point this year.
GWS named an unchanged side only once this year, in Round 3. Even then, Matt Buntine was a last-minute omission. Buntine hasn’t played since and will miss the rest of the season, one of many serious setbacks that tested the Giants’ depth and resilience.
But the injury crisis has ended with the recent returns of Jeremy Cameron, Stephen Coniglio, Brett Deledio, Jacob Hopper and others.
Cameron is now sweating on how to squeeze key players into the team, rather than worry who he can call on to cover their absence. Rory Lobb (groin) and Steve Johnson (knee) both missed GWS’s last-start win over West Coast but are in the mix to return for the crunch clash with Geelong.
Cameron, who overhauled his side last week after an impressive win over Western Bulldogs, could yet again tinker with a winning formula.
“Who’s to say the blokes who came in are in the best 22 now?” ruckman Shane Mumford said, having been one of four bigname inclusions last week. “To have more guys to pick from is massive for us . . . everyone’s fighting to get a spot in the 22.
“Playing so many guys this year is only going to be good for the future. Young kids, who might not have thought they’d get a game, have had that exposure to AFL.”
Tim Taranto, taken with pick No.2 in last year’s draft, is another Giant on the cusp of a call-up.
Taranto hasn’t played AFL since Round 14, after which he had ankle surgery, but he impressed with 29 disposals when he returned for the club’s seconds last weekend.
The Giants may be tempted to give the talented midfielder a game before finals, otherwise he won’t play before September as their reserves’ season is over.
It is one of many tough calls at match committee ahead of the game that will decide whether the Giants finish in the top two.