The GIANTS are ready to make their mark on season 2022 of the NAB AFLW competition as they take on the Gold Coast Suns in the opening round.

Where and when:  Sunday, January 9 at 6:10pm (AEDT), Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay

Tickets: The AFL has announced FREE ENTRY for the 2022 NAB AFL Women’s opening round clash between the Suns and the GIANTS at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.

Last time they met: It was a wet and low-scoring affair the last time these two teams met, but it was the GIANTS who secured the four points and their first win of the 2021 season in round three of the competition last year. Alyce Parker and Rebecca Beeson were instrumental in the wet for the GIANTS at Blacktown International Sportspark, racking up 23 and 24 disposals respectively. Hitting the scoreboard with just two majors for the day, captain Alicia Eva and Taylah Davies were the contributors.

TV and online: The match will be broadcast live from 6:00pm (AEDT) on 7Two in NSW and the ACT, Foxtel, Kayo and the Official AFLW App.

What it means for the GIANTS: Every team will be eager to start their season with a win and none more than the GIANTS who are hoping to return to the top six again in 2022. Working through the challenges of the current landscape, the GIANTS will be hopeful to secure a convincing win and four points to open their season and run of three away games to kick off their season.

Where’s the opposition at: As a new season approaches, so does the unknown around where each team is placed. After a disappointing and winless 2021 season, the Suns welcome 11 changes to their squad for the 2022 season. In a pre-Christmas practice match the Suns went down to cross-town rivals the Brisbane Lions 8-69. The Suns are yet to win a match at Great Barrier Reef Arena.

The number: 287 – the number of days it will have been since the GIANTS last ran out in an AFLW match. It was Sunday, March 28 when the GIANTS fell narrowly short by just one point to Carlton at Blacktown International Sportspark to end their 2021 campaign.

In the mix: Every player is pushing their case for selection in the opening team of the 2022 season. 11 new faces are eager to debut in the orange and charcoal, with experienced players like Chloe Dalton, Katie Loynes and Jasmine Grierson looking to pull on the GIANTS jumper for the first time, while the likes of youngsters Jess Doyle, Emily Pease and Ally Morphett could make their career debuts.