Inaugural GIANT and forward Nicola Barr could return for her first game of the season for this Saturday’s inaugural AFLW Sydney Derby at the SCG.

The 26-year-old has returned to full team training following an ongoing knee injury and returned to the field, playing in the GIANTS’ match simulation against the Lions on the weekend.

Top draft pick Zarlie Goldsworthy will also return to full team training this week after being sidelined with a shoulder injury picked up in the GIANTS' final practice match ahead of the season.

If she clears a fitness test, the 17-year-old could put her hand up for a Derby debut this weekend. 

Meanwhile, three players join the GIANTS’ long-term injury list.

After a strong start to season seven, scans following last Sunday's match have confirmed a season-ending injury for midfielder Tait Mackrill. The 23-year-old has a stress fracture in her left foot, with a recovery period of four-to-six months.

Off the back of a career-best performance in round two, the remainder of midfielder Chloe Dalton’s season looks in doubt, with scans confirming a significant hamstring strain for the 29-year-old which will see her sidelined for eight weeks. The incident happened late in the loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Yesterday the GIANTS confirmed an ACL injury for Pepa Randall, with the important defender set to undergo a knee reconstruction in the coming weeks.