GREATER Western Sydney will finally unveil its top 2017 draft pick, with Aiden Bonar named to debut against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Bonar, taken by the Giants with selection 11 in last year's NAB AFL draft, will get his chance in the midfield after Dylan Shiel (ankle) and Tim Taranto (knee) were forced out of this week's team.
GWS coach Leon Cameron said the 19-year-old deserves his long-awaited opportunity after some outstanding form in the NEAFL over the past month.
Bonar had two knee reconstructions as a junior, but that didn't stop the Giants trading their way up the draft order to select the strong-bodied onballer last year.
A brute around stoppages, he's averaged 21 disposals (60 per cent of those contested), 4.5 inside 50s, 6.3 tackles and 6.5 clearances in 14 reserves games this season, and can find the goals as an onballer or as a permanent forward.
"It's been hard because he hasn't been able to get that spot in the midfield," Cameron said on Friday.
"(Stephen) Coniglio, (Callan) Ward, (Dylan) Shiel, (Jacob) Hopper and (Tim) Taranto have all played (plenty of games), and he's been in an unfortunate position.
"He's been unlucky because there's been injuries around him in the forwards and backs, so other players have been given opportunities, but he hasn't had that.
"Any player that puts his head over the footy as hard as he does, you know naturally that our players will love him.
"He's hard at it, you'll know if you're tackled by him, and it's a great story for us."
Shiel will miss his first game of the season after he rolled his already sore left ankle while being tackled by ruckman Dawson Simpson at training on Thursday.
Both coach and player are hopeful the week off will have the star midfielder ready for the rest of the season, and that he can return for next week's trip to Canberra to take on Adelaide.
"He did it a few weeks ago and has playing a bit of catch-up with it," Cameron said.
"It flared up after the game (against St Kilda) and again on Thursday, and he didn't complete training.
"We've had a good look at it and there's clearly a bit of ligament damage, so it's a time thing now, and we'll monitor him.
"We were desperate to have him play, but it will be touch and go for next week."
The Giants are hopeful Shiel and Taranto, along with Sam Reid (knee), who will also miss the Blues clash, can all press for selection ahead of the Crows match.
Cameron said Taranto has struggled to get up for games in recent weeks due to soreness, while Reid has been carrying a knee issue.
