It’s a rare occurrence, preparing to play a side which has made five changes – four of them forced by injury, but that is the situation North Melbourne finds itself in as it travels to take on the Giants.
But how much do we know about the five inclusions? NMFC.com.au takes you through what you need to know.
Rory Lobb
Lobb is the tallest player on the Giants’ list.
The big man has been with the Giants since the 2013 National Draft, selected with pick 29. With a basketball background, the West Australian has been in good form in the NEAFL during recent weeks.
He has huge shoes to fill, with the late withdrawal of Andrew Phillips meaning Lobb is likely to ruck alone. However he could also present a dangerous option forward if he spends time close to goal.
A fortnight ago he kicked seven goals in the Giants’ 192-point mauling of Brisbane in the NEAFL.
Aidan Corr & Caleb Marchbank
In the absence of Phil Davis and Joel Patfull, Corr and Marchbank have been brought in to fill the void in defence.
Marchbank is one of two Giants’ debutants this week. Selected with pick six in 2014’s National Draft, the 193-centimetre key-position player appears almost certain to be matched up on one of Jarrad Waite or Ben Brown.
During the week, GWS coach Leon Cameron described Marchbank as a ‘second or third tall’. Still only 18-years-old, the teenager wasn’t born when Brent Harvey made his AFL debut.
Corr has already played eight senior games this season, bringing his career tally to 22. The 21-year-old is slightly taller than Marchbank, standing at 195 centimetres.
He has played one game against the Kangaroos in his career, back in 2013. However in that encounter, Corr spent time forward, kicking one goal from seven disposals.
Jack Steele
A product of the Giants’ academy, the Kangaroos bid their first-round pick last season in an attempt to bring Steele to Arden Street.
However GWS matched the bid and selected Steele with pick 24 and coincidentally the 19-year-old will make his debut this Saturday.
A midfielder who can also play as a half-forward, Steele was voted as NSW/ACT’s MVP in last year’s Under 18 National Championships, averaging almost 21 disposals a game. He will likely attempt to fill the void left by Stephen Coniglio and his shoulder injury.
Rhys Palmer
The most experienced of the inclusions, Palmer’s 100 AFL games have seen him play in a wide variety of positions.
In his four games this season, the former Docker has largely played as a half forward. It’s a slight shift from his role in 2014 where he picked up the majority of his disposals in the midfield.
GWS Giants’ changes
In: Rory Lobb, Aidan Corr, Caleb Marchbank, Jack Steele, Rhys Palmer
Out: Shane Mumford, Phil Davis, Joel Patfull, Stephen Coniglio, Will Hoskin-Elliott
