“A season like no other” were the words GIANTS AFLW Head Coach Cameron Bernasconi used to describe season seven and his first season leading the side.

Bernasconi took over the head coaching position in April this year, with the former Academy coach becoming the club’s third women’s coach in their seven seasons.

Hitting the ground running, Bernasconi’s focus was to build on the foundations set by Alan McConnell and his five-season tenure with the club but to add his own flare within his coaching strengths and to get the ball moving faster.

“We set some really clear goals early on in pre-season on how we want to play and where we want to go as footy club,” Bernasconi said.

“The goal was to be holding up the cup within the next four years and to be playing finals footy.

“And yes, we fell short of that this year, and that’s disappointing, but we had great growth among a season of challenges, a younger list and a new game plan.”

Bernasconi’s new game plan was at fruition early on, winning both practice matches and only falling just short to the Western Bulldogs in round one.

By round two the GIANTS had seven players on their season-long injury list and expectedly this resulted in a see-sawing season there on for the GIANTS.

“That was really tough for the girls and the program but look at what it did for the younger players,” Bernasconi said.

“We had some ups and downs with performance as expected with a younger playing group and learning a new style of footy but we also saw some really exciting wins.

“We defeated our rivals (the Swans) in round three with the club’s biggest ever score and finished the season winning three of our last five games in the back half of the season.

“I also think in round 10 we showed what we are capable of and what the future might look like for this club, which is a really exciting.”

Bernasconi didn’t shy away from some of the tough losses the GIANTS faced this season.

“It shows that we need to get better to match it with the best teams in the competition,” Bernasconi admitted.

“We are well aware of the work we need to do and I think we’re really excited to crack in and start doing it.”

Bernasconi spoke about the need to bridge the gap and some of the methods he and his coaching and support staff are going to put in place to achieve that. His focus is already set on season eight and the vision is clear.

“Our next phase is on doubling down on our game plan and getting even better at it,” he said.

“Working really hard in the break on our fundamentals to allow us to play this brand of footy and continue to make our weapons and our strengths even better and bridge the gap on the things we need to work on.

“I often speak about it being the best two hours of the week come game day. It really is. There’s nothing better than working really hard during the week individually and collectively to then go out and beat the opponent who fight for the same result and sing the song.

“It’s exciting times here at the GIANTS and we are looking forward to bridging the gap on those top teams, being fearless on and off the field and all enjoying working hard and enjoying being on this journey together.”