Cam Bernasconi will once again be backed by a strong cohort of coaches to support him as the GIANTS look to return to finals football this season.
A new addition to the unit this year is former Adelaide Crows premiership player, Rhiannon Metcalfe.
Metcalfe took up the game in Canberra in 2015 before being drafted to the Crows in 2016.
The now 31-year-old represented the Crows in 26 games across 2017, 2018 and 2020, missing the 2019 season due an ACL injury.
After moving to the inactive list due to work commitments with the Australian Defence Force in 2021, Metcalfe announced her retirement from the game in June, 2022.
Metcalfe joins the GIANTS as the ruck and stoppage coach.
Bernasconi said he is excited by what the former Crow will bring.
“Rhiannon knows what it takes to be successful,” he said.
“A big work on for us this year is that competitive excellence and, given her military background, I think she’ll add diversity to our group with that hardened edge.”
Other additions to the group this year include Trent Goodrem and Steven Camp.
“Both of these guys move up into more elevated and official roles with us this year,” Bernasconi said.
“Trent is a three-time Premiership player in the SANFL and has come on board to assist me on game days as a trends coach.
“Steven is one of our female academy coaches and will work as a development coach and assist with the train-on players.”
Lloyd Perris (senior assistant), Jon Vlatko (forwards), Georgia Walker (backline) and Darren Rattan (development and rehab) all return alongside Bernasconi.
“They’re a great bunch and have an array of experience, which really complements our set-up,” Bernasconi said.
“Lloyd is a fantastic young coach who sees the game really well. We’re really lucky to have a guy like him.
“Jon is our longest-serving coach. He has a great relationship with the girls and has a really strong footy mind.
“Georgia is into her second year and only getting better in terms of her understanding of the game and relationships with the girls and is going to continue to value add.
“Darren is a club utility coach – working across AFLW, VFL and AFL, he brings a lot to this group and is a great character.”
The GIANTS are well and truly entrenched in pre-season training as they continue preparations for the 2023 season, which is expected to begin the first weekend of September.
