ACCORDING to report's in Melbourne media circles, NRL convert Israel Folau will debut this weekend against the Power at Willaston in South Australia's north.
As reported in The Age, the former rugby league star will suit up for Greatest Western Sydney for the first time in the final NAB Challenge match before the 2011 season gets underway.
It will be Folau's first competitive game of Australian Rules football, with the former Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm star's debut for the Giants being delayed by an ankle injury.
His debut will follow on from the impressive form shown by new Gold Coast convert Karmichael Hunt, who has shown composure and skills coming out of the back half for the Suns.
Like Hunt, Folau is likely to line up in defence.
"I've been working closely with 'Choco' [GWS assistant coach Mark Williams, who left Power ranks in mid-2010] and 'Sheeds' [Essendon coaching legend Kevin Sheedy] on my kicking, and I'm actually a little bit surprised myself at how I've picked up the skills," Folau said to The Age. "It'll take a bit of time obviously, and this whole year will be good for me."
The Giants will debut in the AFL in 2012, with the game against the Power the last chance to see their many prodigies in action before they return next year to play in the regular season as well as any pre-season competition.
