With AFLW season seven 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 new season.

The coach:

Former Swans rookie turned development coach Lloyd Perris joined the AFLW program ahead of the 2022 season to work as the senior assistant coach, in charge of the midfield. Perris’ playing career came to end at 21 after a luckless run of injury, undergoing three knee reconstructions in two years. Moving into the coaching space following his playing career, Perris has coached at AFL Sydney level for the past five years and worked as a development coach at the Swans across the 2019 season. Perris is also a qualified teacher.

Ins:

Still only 22, Tait Mackrill has played as a forward for the majority of her 20 AFLW games across the past four seasons. Coming into season seven, Mackrill has made the move to the midfield where she’s impressed with her strength on the inside as well as her kicking skills, which she’s always been known for.

New ruck pairing Fleur Davies and Cambridge McCormick have impressed in their first season on the list after being picked up in the most recent draft. Davies is an Under-18 All Australian ruck who has made the move from the Gold Coast while McCormick has been plying her trade in the Canberra competition.

The club’s first pick in the draft, Zarlie Goldsworthy, has also spent time in the midfield group across pre-season and has immediately impressed - she is also expected to spend time forward this season.

Fellow Riverina product Zara Hamilton and Tasmanian recruit Madison Brazendale have also joined the midfield group and shown their wares in wing and midfield roles across the pre-season.

Outs:

Inaugural GIANT Erin McKinnon and young ruck Ally Morphett both departed in the off-season, to the Saints and Swans respectively.

Former Carlton captain Katie Loynes retired after a season on the GIANTS’ list while Haneen Zreika has moved into the forward line for season seven. 

Unchanged:

Skipper Alicia Eva might be 31 but she finished runner up in the Gabrielle Trainor Medal last season and has shown she has plenty more to offer on the field. The introduction of some new faces to the midfield may allow her to use her run and carry more on the wing.

21-year-old Alyce Parker will continue to lead the midfield group after a season where she won her third straight club champion award in just four seasons. A star of the competition who will only get better as she continues to develop her game.

2019 Gabrielle Trainor Medallist Rebecca Beeson is looking to remind everyone of her capabilities after struggling with injury last season. A fully-fit Beeson is a formidable asset to the midfield group.

Star recruit Chloe Dalton is another whose last season was interrupted with injury. In her four games in season six she showed why the GIANTS were so pleased to add her to the side, with her sizzling speed hard to stop.

Ally Dallaway was a breakout player in season six. Only added to the list weeks before the season as a replacement player, the 23-year-old slotted in seamlessly and has another full pre-season under her belt.

Another who impressed in season six was youngster Emily Pease who broke through for her AFLW debut in round two before playing every game for the rest of the season and impressing with her work rate. She’s taken another step in her game this off-season.

 State of Play: 

A midfield of Parker, Eva, Beeson and Dalton could be a formidable sight in season seven. After injury interrupted the quartet playing any significant football together last season, this is the year GIANTS fans will be hoping to regularly see these combinations in action.

They’ll be ably supported by top draftees Goldsworthy, Hamilton and Brazendale as well as young stars Dallaway and Pease. Don’t forget Mackrill in her new role, who’s now had four seasons under her belt and is improving every single season.

It’s a new ruck duo at the GIANTS in season seven but the pair have already impressed. Davies and McCormick have formed a great partnership already and while both incredibly athletic, they offer different attributes in the ruck. Davies is just 18 but is ready for the AFLW after working with Shane Mumford on her physicality and strength. McCormick has experience and athleticism to compete all around the ground. 

More of the Same Please:

It’s easy to forget Alyce Parker is still only 21 years old. Wise beyond her years, Parker expects the most out of herself at every opportunity. Coming into her fifth season, Parker has won three straight Gabrielle Trainor Medals and across her career averages more than 20 disposals and four tackles a game. A star of the competition already, she continues to work hard to make sure she leaves no stone unturned to become the best player she can be. Elevated to vice-captain for season seven, expect to see Parker take her on-field leadership to a new level this season. 

One to Watch: 

The GIANTS’ top draftee in the most recent draft, Zarlie Goldsworthy has impressed since arriving at the club. Still finishing school in Albury, Goldsworthy has already shown her athleticism and power through the midfield, while also being able to go forward. She kicked three goals in one of the team’s intra-club matches.

We’re sneaking in a second one-to-watch with second-year GIANT Ally Dallaway taking her game to a new level this off-season with her tireless work ethic. She gets to more contests than any other midfielder and had 31 disposals in the GIANTS’ most recent intra-club match.