GIANTS draftees Zarlie Goldsworthy and Meghan Gaffney will make their AFLW debuts in the first-ever AFLW Sydney Derby on Saturday afternoon at the SCG.
Goldsworthy was the GIANTS’ first draft pick in the most recent 2022 NAB AFLW draft.
The 17-year-old has been impressive since relocating to Sydney from Albury and was a stand-out in the pre-season win over the Swans.
On track for an opening round debut, the former Murray Bushranger sustained a shoulder injury in a pre-season match against the Western Bulldogs, two weeks out from the season starter.
Sidelined and determined, the former young Matilda has showed her resilience early on in her AFLW career and has earned her selection for round three.
Fellow first-year GIANT Gaffney has also made an early impression, showing promising signs on the track since arriving at the club with pick 66 in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft.
Drafted from Tasmania, alongside round one debutant Madison Brazendale, 157cm Gaffney injects speed into the GIANTS’ team.
The hard-running midfield will provide a versatile option for coach Cam Bernasconi and the GIANTS this week, with the 19-year-old able to play both a wing and small forward role.
Bernasconi congratulated the duo on their debut and echoed the pair's excitement.
“Zarlie’s been a valuable member of the program since she was drafted,” he said.
“We see her to be a future star of the competition and she’ll complement our game plan really well.
“She’s got very similar traits to Alyce Parker around winning the contested ball and is very dangerous up forward.”
Meanwhile, Bernasconi described Gaffney as a ball of energy.
“She’ll come into the side and bring her pressure and energy and complement the way we want to play and keep it in our front half,” he said.
“She’s a very coachable player and gets her opportunity, she’ll step up.”
The full GIANTS squad will be released at 5:30pm tonight via giants.afl.
AFLW Round 3
Swans v GIANTS
Saturday, September 10 at 2:40pm
Gadigal Country | SCG
Tickets available HERE.
