Off-season is a lose term for those in the AFLW playing group at this time of the year. The group are currently in what head coach Cam Bernasconi likes to refer to as Operation: Bridge the Gap. 

At the end of last season, in both team and individual reviews, Bernasconi and his high-performance staff created the program with an aim to bridge the gap between the GIANTS and the top teams and top players. 

It’s not just a program name but a phase, a vision and a goal.

Since the start of January, Bernasconi, assistant coach Lloyd Perris and the Strength and Conditioning and Medical staff have been available for the girls for gym work or football skills to work on their athletic development and skill craft.

It’s been fresh and fun, with the initial focus on individual development and with the future weeks looking to build into a more structured group training, bringing in new theories and game plans.

Bernasconi made it clear that the program is also about clarity for the players on their strengths and how to continue to enhance and develop those attributes.  

So, while others may choose a rest and recovery off-season, the environment and opportunities have been available for the girls to work hard, improve and bridge the gap. 

Injury Update: 

Bernasconi is looking forward to entering the 2023 season with a healthy list – something that proved challenging for him as he worked his way through his inaugural season as head coach.

Alicia Eva and Nicola Barr have both utilised the longer off-season period for maintenance surgery. 

Eva underwent shoulder stabilisation surgery to repair an injury sustained in the final home game of last season. She is currently two months into her six-month rehabilitation process.

Meanwhile, Barr had a knee arthroscope to attend to an ongoing knee injury and is currently in five weeks into a 12-week rehabilitation.

Emily Pease (three months since injury) and Pepa Randall (five months since injury) are working hard in their ACL rehabilitation, while Isadora McLeay and Izzy Huntington are set to join small group and contract training following their returns from respective ACL surgeries and after missing all of season seven. 

Tait Mackrill has recently returned to running after suffering a navicular stress fracture at the beginning of season seven. 

Young ruck Fleur Davies is approaching the six-month mark from her shoulder stabilisation surgery and is set to return to Sydney to be ready for the beginning of pre-season.

List Management: 

While the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) is still being worked through, Bernasconi is confident in the list that he will have this season.

With three players (Huntington, McLeay and Davies) set to return from the inactive list for this season, it leaves limited spots for Bernasconi and his coaching team to need to look outside the GIANTS’ program for new players.

Following a large inclusion of young top-end talent last Trade and Draft period, Bernasconi said the focus this year would be to bring in players who will make an impact immediately. 

As it stands, the list changes for the GIANTS includes: Tanya Hetherington, Brid Stack (retired), Georgie Fowler and Casidhe Simmons (delisted).

Key Dates:

NAB AFLW Trade Period:  March 10-20

Pre-Season commences: Mid-Late May