With the 2022 AFLW season just weeks away, the hype is building. To help bring you up to speed on all things GIANTS, we’re breaking down each area of the ground and assessing the squad is placed heading into their sixth season.

Ins:

Jess Doyle - Selected at pick 49 in the 2021 Draft, the NAB AFLW Academy recruit will bring serious scoreboard pressure for the GIANTS in 2022. The Sydney local has been brought up watching a lot of footy with her family and continually finds herself in great spots around the ground.
 
Georgie Fowler - Taken at pick 59 by the GIANTS, Fowler has come through the rugby 7s pathway and East Coast Eagles in the Sydney competition. She relies on powerful running and has added great value to the group and the dynamic of the forward line.
 
Brodee Mowbray – Selected by the GIANTS at pick 55 in the 2021 Draft. A member of the Allies squad, Mowbray is known as a tough, naturally competitive, aggressive player. A raw talent who is still learning the game, Mowbray has already impressed with her ability to improve.
 
Casidhe Simmons - A former heptathlete, Simmons has demonstrated her speed and natural athleticism with the UNSW-ES Bulldogs in the AFL Sydney competition. Already elite in her preparation and performance, Simmons is an exciting prospect with high ceilings of potential.

Outs:

Taylah Davies – After three seasons in the AFLW competition, cross-coder and former GIANTS Netballer Davies has decided to return her focus back to netball.
 
Emily Goodsir - After making her debut in round 6 2020, Goodsir will be sitting out the upcoming season after the exciting news that her and partner Tom Gorman will be having a baby early in 2022.
 
Sarah Halvorsen - The talented young athlete wanted to take a year away from the sport to "get a bit more perspective” and is now feeling refreshed and soon ready to get back to footy.
 
Jodie Hicks - The talented dual-coder is currently taking a year off elite level footy to concentrate on cricket and play local footy with Macquarie University.
 
Aimee Schmidt - Picked up by the GIANTS at number 17 in the inaugural NAB AFLW Draft, Schmidt returned home to Perth to continue her AFLW career with the West Coast Eagles.

Unchanged:

Nicola Barr - Entering her sixth year in the AFLW competition for the GIANTS, Barr continues to demonstrate elite running power and fitness. Barr moved into the forward line this season and gives the forward line a different advantage through her work rate both offensive and defensively.
 
Tait Mackrill - After being in the AFLW system now for multiple years, the skilled, experienced forward is implementing higher work rate for higher reward. Mackrill’s ability to put herself in good spots as a high half-forward creates a weapon for a forward line who want to get on the end of her kicks.
 
Rebecca Privitelli - A consistent leader in the GIANTS line up, with an inherent understanding of the game, Privitelli has stepped up again in fitness and speed work, resulting in an improved work rate with repeat efforts in a versatile forward line.
 
Katherine Smith - After returning from an ACL reconstruction in round 4 2020, Smith is looking dangerous up front with a full preseason under her belt. Smith’s drive to improve every week means that she is a valuable contributor to the team.
 
Cora Staunton - The Irish legend has come back even fitter than previous seasons after working hard during the Gaelic football season back home. After a recent milestone birthday, she still maintains her iconic speed and aggression.
 
Haneen Zreika – Continuing to add different components to her game following stints in the midfield and backline, Zreika still plays a very valuable roll up forward with her aggression, tackling ability and speed off the mark. Zreika is known as a selfless footy player who always plays and understands her role.

State of Play:

The GIANTS enter 2022 with a forward line far more dynamic than it has been in previous years, with some real X-factor talent. The combination of experienced players including Privitelli, Staunton and Mackrill combined with the youth and flair of players like Doyle and Mowbray may present some real surprises for oppositions. 

More of the Same Please:

Cora Staunton - The GIANTS leading goal kicker in 2020 and 2021, Staunton will return to the forward line with the lethal ability to win games from her own boot.

One to Watch:

Jess Doyle - She was a leading goal kicker in the Sydney competition last season, kicking 9 goals in one game. Doyle will present a serious challenge for defenders with her aggression at the footy and natural flair.