Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Aaron Bunch
Giants not looking down on winless Lions

After their draw against St Kilda, Greater Western Sydney aren’t underestimating Brisbane, despite the Lions’ winless start to the season.

April 27, 2018

Greater Western Sydney ares bracing for a tough home game following their “disappointing” showing against St Kilda last week, despite Brisbane’s cellar-dweller status.

The Giants enter round six in third spot on the AFL ladder following their draw against the Saints on the weekend, while the Lions languish in 17th after five straight losses. 

However, coach Leon Cameron says his team won’t be underestimating the visitors during their first home match of the season at Spotless Stadium.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge because we were clearly disappointing last week at times,” he told reporters on Friday.

“We need to make sure on our home ground we play a brand of footy that we can walk off and our supporters are happy with.”

Cameron tipped his hat to the Lions’ “well-coached healthy list” and said Saturday’s game would be the start of another tough five weeks.

“Clearly everyone in the footy world would argue (Brisbane) probably should be sitting three and two,” he said.

“They’ve played some very good footy. They’re on the march. They obviously just haven’t saluted right at the end.”

Cameron conceded his team’s lack of consistency across four quarters against St Kilda.

“It’s probably been two weeks where our goalkicking was poor … Also our entries inside 50,” he said.

Toby Greene will remain on the sidelines with Cameron saying it will be another 48 hours before the seriousness of the injury is determined. 

“He attempted to train on Wednesday – he pulled up a bit sore from the game last weekend – and that didn’t go to the level that I wanted it to,” he said.

“Clearly he’s not right, so today and Monday we will explore what is actually wrong with his foot – is it a one-weeker or is it a three-weeker? We’ll probably find that out on Monday.”

The good news story for the Giants is teenager Nick Shipley, who will make his debut on the weekend.

The 18-year-old from Campbelltown is the first home-grown graduate of the Giants’ football academy – which is aimed at growing the game in the rugby league heartland – to make it to the elite level.

“Clearly, having a home-grown player come out of your own backyard is great for us,” said Cameron.

“He’s got a huge motor, a great appetite to work hard and that’s what you want from your first-year players.”

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