Harry Perryman to make GWS Giants debut
The GWS Giants will have their third debutant for the AFL season when midfielder Harry Perryman lines up against Richmond on Saturday.
The 18-year-old was drafted by the Giants last year from Collingullie north-west of Wagga Wagga - the same town that produced teammate Matthew Kennedy.
"There's only about 400 people in the town so they'll probably all be here," he said.
Perryman has averaged 26.8 possessions and 5.8 tackles per game but has struggled to crack the senior side until this week when vice-captain Stephen Coniglio was ruled out after suffering another serious ankle injury.
"I always knew it was going to be a hard team to get into," the 18-year-old said.
"There's some great players in this side so I've just had to put my head down and keep working and hopefully crack into it on Saturday."
Perryman has played mostly as a midfielder in the reserve grade but will be expected to perform as a small defender alongside his mentor Heath Shaw at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
Shaw said while the team has suffered a blow in injuries, Perryman has proved himself worthy of the spot.
"It's great to have him on board," Shaw said.
"He's a natural footballer and that gets lost a lot these days.
"Everyone is looking for the athlete with washboard abs, who can jump and mark it, but Harry is a rugged, country footballer, and he reads the ball really well and he's very, very skilful."
Perryman's debut comes only a week after 25-year-old Daniel Lloyd kick-started his career as a Giant, helping his side return from behind against Collingwood last Saturday.
