NAB CUP
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HE has been widely tipped as the next superstar of the AFL competition and Greater Western Sydney (GWS) forward Jonathon Patton will play in Saturday night's NAB Cup clash at Robertson Oval.
Giants coach-in-waiting Leon Cameron yesterday revealed that Patton would be part of a "very strong" GWS team to take on Brisbane Lions in the NAB Cup clash at Wagga.
The number one pick in the 2011 AFL draft, Patton has been the talk of the AFL world this week with an exciting performance in the Giants' opening hit-out last weekend.
GWS co-captain Callan Ward will make his first appearance of the year in Wagga alongside Patton, while big men Jonathon Giles and Dylan Shiel are just a couple of Giants players also confirmed to play on Saturday night.
Cameron yesterday said most of the Giants' big names would take to the field at Robertson Oval.
"With the changes to round two we can now play 24 and we plan to use that full 24 and pick a very strong side," Cameron said.
"The likes of Patton will be playing, Jeremy Cameron is probably unlikely after pulling up a little bit sore from the weekend.
"Cal Ward, one of our captains, will resume this week. He missed last week with a minor knee injury and we didn't want to risk him."
Patton, 19, kicked four goals at the weekend in a sublime performance.
Cameron said the Giants were keen to get consistent football into Patton early in the season.
“Barring injury, Jon will play,” Cameron said. “We’ve got to be mindful that we don’t run him into the ground but he’s had a really good pre-season.
“We’ll have to be patient with him but he’s showing really good signs.
“You only have to look at a bloke like Tom Hawkins and see how long it’s taken him so we’re very mindful of that.”
Cameron also confirmed a lot of the Giants’ Riverina talent will be selected for Saturday night’s clash but made clear they were not token games.
“Deservedly so as well,” Cameron said.
“Their pre-seasons have been good and their form has been good so they deserve to play.
“It’s great for them to be able to play in front of their local crowd.”
The Giants will arrive in Wagga on Friday and conduct school visits in the morning before an open training session at Robertson Oval from about 4.30pm.