2020 was an interrupted year on every level as a global pandemic that hit in March affected the season in the most unique ways.

With the AFLW team led by new captain Alicia Eva, it was an eventful season, to say the least.

After a disappointing 2019, winning just two games, the GIANTS recorded four wins to qualify for their first finals series, but lost to Melbourne in a devastating last quarter.

The season was abandoned following the first round of finals with no premiership awarded.

Second-year midfielder Alyce Parker was the standout; winning All Australian honours and her first Gabrielle Trainor Medal, with Rebecca Privitelli also winning the competition’s Mark of the Year following her return to the game.

There was a changing of the guard for the AFL side as well with Phil Davis and Callan Ward handing the captaincy over to Stephen Coniglio.

Former Blue and Crow Sam Jacobs joined the club, alongside top draft picks Lachie Ash and Tom Green.

As the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold, round one was played in a closed stadium where the GIANTS recorded a resounding win over Geelong.

Following the first weekend, the competition - and the country - went into shutdown with all games suspended.

There were 85 days between the club’s rounds one and two games with limited crowds able to return to stadiums across the rest of the season.

After eight rounds, the GIANTS had to pack up and relocate to Queensland with a closing of the border between the two states imminent.

The club spent 10 days in Brisbane before heading to Perth for three weeks - including two weeks in quarantine.

The remainder of the season was spent back in Queensland with the GIANTS missing finals for the first time in five years.

The club continued to have strong support from its members and fans - even in a season like this - passing 30,000 members for the second successive season and setting a new membership record.

Nick Haynes was named in his first All Australian team while he also shared the Kevin Sheedy Medal with Lachie Whitfield - an historic tie. Whitfield also became the first-ever dual winner of the Medal.

Ahead of the fresh AFLW season, promising young defender Katherine Smith joined the club from the Demons, while a third Irishwoman - Brid Stack - arrived at the GIANTS.

Sadly, the club also mourned the loss of inaugural AFLW player Jacinda Barclay in October. 

“Jacinda was a much-loved member of the GIANTS family and we are all devastated by her passing,” said GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews.

“Jacinda gave up a great deal to follow her sporting dreams around the world and we are grateful that she called our club home for four years. 

“As an inaugural GIANTS AFLW player, Jacinda was a vital part of our club. More than that though, Jacinda’s spirit and infectious personality made her a popular and unforgettable member of the GIANTS family.

“She will always be a part of our club.”