The GIANTS have announced a club-high cohort of AFLW re-signings, with 28 players re-committing to the club for season eight of the NAB AFL Women’s competition.
The total surpasses the club’s previous best of 25 in 2020 and is the second highest in the league to date.
The commitment is recognition of the program and culture that Head Coach Cam Bernasconi has implemented since taking charge in April last year. The progress and future of the team was on full display in the GIANTS’ round 10 match, with an impressive performance over the Gold Coast Suns at Henson Park.
The list includes four-time Gabrielle Trainor Medallist Alyce Parker, captain Alicia Eva and young stars Georgia Garnett, Tarni Evans and Zarlie Goldsworthy.
It also features Izzy Huntington, Isadora McLeay and Pepa Randall who all return from the inactive list.
GIANTS Head of Women’s Football Briana Harvey said the club is thrilled to retain such a core group of players.
“It’s super exciting to retain such a large proportion of our 2022 list,” she said.
“Our culture and our program is first-class here and the commitment from majority of our list shows that.
“Not only is it a lengthy list, it features a high calibre of players, who are among some of the most recognised players in the league.
“There was no doubt some tempting offers thrown the girls’ way during the newly introduced Priority Signing Period, so for them all to stay loyal is a testament to Cam and the club.
“The commitment we’ve seen over the off-season and throughout our ‘Bridge the Gap’ program has been second to none. I commend all staff and players for their work to date and have full faith that the hard work is going to pay off and we’ll see the results this season.”
The GIANTS recently farewelled games record holder Cora Staunton, with the Irish international calling time on her AFLW career.
The GIANTS’ all-time leading goal kicker and games record holder, Cora Staunton, has called time on her AFLW career 🧡 #BigBigSound
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 27, 2023
In addition to Staunton, Tanya Hetherington and Brid Stack also announced their retirements at the end of season seven, while Emily Goodsir, Casidhe Simmons and Georgia Fowler were not offered contracts for the upcoming season.
With the re-signing of the core of the 2022 list, the GIANTS will hold just two picks at the 2023 AFLW Draft.
Current GIANTS AFLW 2023 Playing List –
Nicola Barr
Rebecca Beeson
Madison Brazendale
Tess Cattle
Ally Dallaway
Chloe Dalton
Fleur Davies
Jessica Doyle
Alicia Eva
Tarni Evans
Meghan Gaffney
Georgia Garnett
Zarlie Goldsworthy
Jasmine Grierson
Zara Hamilton
Jodie Hicks
Grace Hill
Isabel Huntington
Annalyse Lister
Tait Mackrill
Cambridge McCormick
Isadora McLeay
Brodee Mowbray
Alyce Parker
Emily Pease
Pepa Randall
Katherine Smith
Haneen Zreika
