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 how the squad is placed heading into the sixth season. 

Ins:

Ally Dallaway – A late in for the GIANTS, the 22-year-old replacement player from the East Coast Eagles has been quick to impress. A small, quick and dynamic player, Dallaway knows how to get the ball on the outside.   

Chloe Dalton – The Olympic Gold medallist’s impact on the group has already been massive and the team is yet to run out for round one. The former Blue, who joined the GIANTS during the trade period, adds an outside layer to the midfield. Dalton brings pace, dynamic movement and is the ultimate professional.  

Katie Loynes – One of the more experienced players in the group, Loynes brings natural leadership to this younger line group. Moving to the GIANTS following five years with Carlton, she is the ultimate competitor, and the 35-year-old sets the standards high. 

Ally Morphett – Raw but with an abundance of potential, the progression of the recently turned 18-year-old and GIANTS number one pick has already been recognised since entering the environment. Learning a lot and competing hard, Morphett has some exciting and natural attributes to display, if and when she’s given an opportunity.  

Outs:

Jess Allan – Following a trade to the GIANTS in 2019, Allan played the 2020 and 2021 seasons around her Australian Defence Force requirements. Allan has moved to the inactive list for the 2022 season while she commits the necessary time required for the AFDA program.  

Jess Dal Pos – After five seasons with the GIANTS in NSW, Dal Pos made the decision to return home to Victoria and signed with Carlton. A hard-running midfield with an accurate left-foot, Dal Pos played 37 games with the club and was the inaugural winner of the Gabrielle Trainor Medal in 2017. 

Britt Tully – Drafted from the Gungahlin Jets in the inaugural season, Tully played the first two seasons with the GIANTS before taking a year off in 2019. She returned in 2020 without missing a beat, cementing herself as a bullish midfielder and becoming part of the club’s leadership group. At the end of the 2021 season, Tully decided to retire from the game and return to Canberra. 

Unchanged:

Rebecca Beeson – Noted as being a standout this pre-season, the inaugural GIANT is entering her sixth season with club. A consistent performer, Beeson has been working on adding layers to her game in a bid to be one of the premier mids in the competition this 2022 season. 

Alicia Eva – A well regarded leader with a strong work ethic and footy brain. A dynamic player, Eva contributes a strong element of pace, is a dynamic runner and helps direct play all down the field. 

Tarni Evans – Racing the rehab clock following a pre-season foot injury, Evans is the versatile utility the GIANTS are hoping gets back in time to play some footy. Her natural attributes from her athletic past, combined with her football skill, make her a player the GIANTS need back on the field sooner rather than later.  

Erin McKinnon – With young Ally Morphett coming into the mix, the GIANTS’ go-to ruck - Erin McKinnon - has had some good competition this pre-season which has allowed her to take her game to the next level. Having scored her first AFLW goal in season 2021, McKinnon will no doubt be keen to add a few more to her career stats.  

Alyce Parker – A key player in the midfield group, 21-year-old Parker continues to excel at the game she’s only been playing at the elite level for three years. Known for her being a contested ball-winning bull, Parker has been working during the off-season to add other elements to her game and improve her impact on the scoreboard this season. 

Emily Pease – The uncapped GIANT has made some strong progress this season. Working across both the midfield and the wing, the 19-year-old has an elite endurance tank, is a smart runner and a great user of the football. 

Lisa Steane – Still a relatively new player, having played just 10 games, Steane has made some gains in her game this pre-season. More composed with ball in hand and an improved decision making, the coaches are excited to see which role she will excel in this year.   

State of Play:

The midfield group are tracking well ahead of the 2022 season. There’s been a real focus on making sure they nail their key focuses – stoppage and transition. With some strong leaders amongst the midfield group, the standard has been set to drive the charge and set the scene as they get the balance between being competitive and supportive right. 

More of the Same Please:

You can’t look past Alyce Parker given her form over the past two seasons. The dual All-Australian and Gabrielle Trainor medallist is already a premier mid of the competition but isn’t one to rest on her laurels. Amongst the top of the competition-wide stats in season 2021, Parker finished first for average disposal count and contested possessions and second for average clearances.  

One to Watch:

An exciting athlete to watch no matter what size ball she picks up, Chloe Dalton is one to keep your eye on this season in the orange and charcoal. After missing the 2021 season to focus on her dreams of securing a second Olympic Gold, she’s quickly adapted back to the game of Aussie rules, with her physical attributes and flair for the game catching the eye.