Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron says Jack Steele could have made his AFL debut "four or five weeks ago" and "100 per cent" deserves to play against North Melbourne at the Sydney Showgrounds on Saturday.
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He is confident the Canberra product will grab the opportunity opened up by a raft of injuries and omissions.
Steele was named on the bench as one of six changes the Giants made, that sees them lose ruck Shane Mumford (ankle), co-captain Phil Davis (ankle), Joel Patfull (ribs) and Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) to injury.
GWS named the 19-year-old as an emergency for five straight weeks and he almost made his debut against reigning premiers Hawthorn, but midfielder Adam Treloar managed to overcome gastro to play a starring role.
Cameron said Steele has been ready to play AFL footy for about a month.
"The running capacity and the knocks and the intensity are far different [to the NEAFL], so it's going to be a shock and we've got to expect that," he said. "With natural competitors they get over that shock quicker, because they find a way, so there's going to be times where he's going to be blowing.
"He's deserved his spot 100 per cent, he's been knocking on the door, he could've played four or five weeks ago, this is not a knee-jerk reaction."
Cameron said Steele was "absolutely" a midfielder, but in modern football everyone needed to be able to play "two or three positions".
He'll spend "50-60 per cent" on the ball and the rest of the time playing at half-forward.
"What we've seen so far absolutely [he's a midfielder], but what happens in these days of footy you've got to be able to play two or three positions.
"In flexible sides, and we're a flexible side, you have to be able to play dual roles.
"I don't expect him to master that overnight, I just want him to compete.
"He'll definitely have both roles, he'll play the midfield and he'll play forward.
"Most of our mids play 50-60 per cent midfield and about 40 per cent forward, so he'll be no different."
Key defender Caleb Marchbank will also make his debut, while Rhys Palmer, Aidan Corr and ruckmen Andrew Phillips and Rory Lobb have also been brought into the side.
AFL ROUND 12
Saturday: GWS Giants v North Melbourne at Sydney Showgrounds, 4.35pm. Tickets available from Ticketmaster. TV Time: Live on Fox Footy and 7mate.
