A couple of 19-year-old West Australians have the potential to light up the MCG on Sunday, with GWS stalwart Sam Reid hoping their AFL debutant Bobby Hill can have a similar impact to impressive Richmond rookie Sydney Stack.
Taken by the Tigers in the inaugural pre-season supplemental selection period, Stack has been a smash hit since making his debut in round three away to the Giants in Sydney.
He has played every game since, averaging 17 disposals and five marks and earned a Rising Star nomination.
A career-best four-goal haul against St Kilda in round 15 showed he can shine up forward as well as down back, where he has impressed with his physicality.
A shoulder reconstruction delayed Hill's ascent into the senior ranks after the Giants traded up to No.24 to get him in last years national draft.
Giants' coach Leon Cameron says Hill is capable of doing special things but is highly regarded for his chasing and pressure skills.
A cousin of Fremantle stars Bradley and Stephen Hill, the speedy forward and outside midfielder is already a popular and respected figure at GWS.
"We're all backing him in because he's got that spark that Sydney Stack has as well," half back Reid told AAP.
"We're hoping that he can turn it on on the big stage and we find a player as Richmond did with Sydney."
Giants' wingman Adam Tomlinson is another fan of Hill.
"He does some pretty scary stuff at training and I'm absolutely pumped for him,'' Tomlinson told AAP.
"He deserves it, he's being going really well and I can't wait for everyone else to see what we get to see week in, week out."
Meanwhile, Reid has copped plenty from his teammates in the aftermath of Queensland losing the State of Origin rugby league decider to NSW in Sydney on Wednesday.
Bundaberg-raised Reid, who played some league as a youngster, was wearing a Maroons shirt at Giants training in the leadup to Origin III.
"On Thursday at the main training session I was copping it, I didn't have my jersey on so they were giving it to me about that," said Reid, who has attended some previous Origin games in Sydney.
"I didn't go to the stadium (on Wednesday) because my wife is pregnant so we had a birthing class at about six o'clock but I got home and watched the game in time."
Australian Associated Press
