NAB CUP
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GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) plans to showcase all seven of its Riverina footballers in Saturday week’s NAB Cup clash against Brisbane Lions at Robertson Oval.
Giants teenager Jacob Townsend yesterday revealed GWS coach Kevin Sheedy has told the playing group that all seven Riverina-bred footballers will get to represent the Giants in Wagga.
Barring injury or any other mishaps between now and March 2, Townsend will be joined by Kurt Aylett, Anthony Miles, Sam Schulz, Mark Whiley, Joe Redfern and Zac Williams.
The addition of the Riverina Giants players along with the unveiling of the newly upgraded Robertson Oval facility is set to prove a significant boost to the crowd size.
Townsend yesterday told The Daily Advertiser that all Riverina-raised Giants players were thrilled to hear of Sheedy’s announcement to the group.
“Sheeds told us all in front of the group that all the boys from down there that if we’re not injured then we’ll be playing,” Townsend said.
“It’s nice and close to home so it should be pretty good.”
Townsend has plenty of memories of playing on the “old” Robertson Oval and cannot wait to get on the ground on Saturday week.
“I actually drove past on my way home (to Leeton) during my break and it looks like they’ve done a pretty good job,” Townsend said.
“I played there a few times for the Crows and again for the Giants against Belconnen a couple of years ago but they’ve obviously upgraded it since then so we’re looking forward to it.”
Townsend has unfortunately experienced an injury-interrupted pre-season where a groin complaint kept him away from training with the main group for five to six weeks.
He has since rejoined the Giants’ main squad and took part in GWS’s intra-club game last weekend.
Townsend said all the Giants players were looking forward to the club’s NAB Cup campaign.
“Pre-season has been going well, obviously it’s pretty tough but coming into our second year you can see the improvement in players,” Townsend said.
“We’re coming to the end of pre-season now, which is good because we all want to get into the games.
“It’s good to get another pre-season under the belt but it’s going to be good to start playing games.”
Townsend played 11 senior games in the Giants’ inaugural AFL season and hopes to add many more to that tally this season as the team focuses on week-to-week improvement.
