GWS will unveil one of their prized first-round draft picks when academy graduate Harry Rowston makes his AFL debut against West Coast in round two.

Originally from Griffith in southern NSW, Rowston was at the centre of a bold play from Sydney at last November's national draft before joining the Giants.

The Swans had a pick swap proposal rejected by their Harbour City rivals as they sought to swoop in to snatch Rowston, and then made a bid on him.

The bid was immediately matched by GWS, who had first call on Rowston and were eager to secure the prolific midfielder, who spent years in their junior academy.

"It was pretty exciting," Rowston recalled on Friday.

"The Giants told me they were going to match the bid whenever it came.

"It took a little longer than I was hoping and I got a little bit nervous, but it was absolutely surreal."

At pick 16 overall, Rowston was one of five Giants selections in the first two rounds after they took key forward Aaron Cadman at No.1.

Cadman has also been earmarked for an early-season debut but is yet to force his way into the GWS forward line, with Harry Himmelberg, Jesse Hogan and Jake Riccardi sitting above him in the pecking order.

Rowston becomes the first Giants player to debut under new coach Adam Kingsley, who led GWS to victory over Adelaide in his first game at the helm.

"I haven't slept all week," Rowston said, having been told of his selection by captain Toby Greene at Friday's team meeting.

"To finally know, I couldn't be happier."

Kingsley hopes to keep his unbeaten start alive against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

But injuries have thrown a spanner in the works, with key players Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield ruled out because of concussion and Harry Perryman sidelined by a hamstring issue.

Adam Kennedy and second-year defender Cooper Hamilton have been recalled to take on the Eagles, with Kennedy to play his 150th game.

West Coast dropped Callum Jamieson, Xavier O'Neill and Jack Petruccelle, recalling Jake Waterman and Sam Petrevski-Seton.

Joel Amartey has replaced suspended Sydney superstar Lance Franklin for their SCG clash with Hawthorn, who have lost silky forward Chad Wingard to a minor calf injury.

Gold Coast speedster Lachie Weller will return against Essendon, almost a year after rupturing an ACL.

Malcolm Rosas has also been called up for the Suns, who have dropped Mabior Chol, Jy Farrar and Alex Davies.

Essendon have left out Jake Stringer, who has recovered from a hamstring injury but needs to regain fitness, while Sam Weideman has been named despite concerns over a toe injury.

Bombers cult hero Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is out with quadriceps soreness.