The GIANTS will unearth a couple of fresh faces along with some returning stars for their first AFLW match simulation against Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday.
Draftees Caitlin Miller and Teagan Germech will run out for the first time in GIANTS colours on Saturday, while skipper Alicia Eva has been ruled fit to play after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
Rebecca Beeson, Chloe Dalton, and Fleur Davies will also line up against the Power after overcoming their respective long-term injuries.
Beeson will don the orange and charcoal for the first time in 18 months after sitting out the entirety of last season with concussion issues. Meanwhile, former Gold Coast Academy ruck Davies will make her long-awaited return after the promising 19-year-old missed her debut GIANTS season with a shoulder injury suffered in last year’s corresponding pre-season match.
Olympic gold medallist Dalton is also raring to go against the Power after overcoming a calf injury which forced her to miss the second half of last season.
Meanwhile, draftee Annise Bradfield will have to wait a little longer for her GIANTS debut as she rehabs from a Lisfranc injury suffered in pre-season.
The GIANTS will also be without superstar Alyce Parker who will watch from the sidelines after being managed with a shoulder injury.
Despite her absence, the four-time Gabrielle Trainor Medalist is expected to be fit and firing for the GIANTS’ season-opening Derby clash with the Swans on September 3.
While not taking the field on Saturday, young gun forward Jess Doyle (finger) is set to return next week for the club’s final practice match against Richmond at Blacktown on Friday, while defender Jas Grierson (calf) will be a test to take on the Tigers.
A number of GIANTS are also progressing well from their respective ACL injuries ahead of the upcoming 2023 season, with popular key defender Pepa Randall in line to return next week against the Tigers after rupturing her ACL in round two of season seven last year.
Former number one draft pick Izzy Huntington is also recovering well from her most recent ACL injury and is aiming to debut for the club in the early part of the season.
Promising utility Isadora McLeay and 2022 GIANTS Rising Star winner Emily Pease are also both expected to return in the front half of the 2023 season following their ACL injuries.
After taking on the Power in Adelaide on Saturday, and the Tigers at Blacktown International Sportspark next Friday afternoon, the GIANTS will open their AFLW season with the highly-anticipated Sydney Derby against the Swans at North Sydney Oval on Sunday, September 3.
AFLW Match Simulation
Port Adelaide v GIANTS
Saturday, August 12 at 10am CST/ 10:30am AEST
Alberton Oval | Kaurna Country
Squad:
2. Alicia Eva (c)
4. Katherine Smith
6. Rebecca Beeson
7. Zarlie Goldsworthy
8. Nicola Barr
9. Caitlin Miller
11. Chloe Dalton
14. Annalyse Lister
15. Teagan Germech
17. Georgia Garnett
18. Tarni Evans
19. Grace Hill
20. Fleur Davies
23. Madison Brazendale
24. Haneen Zreika
25. Cambridge McCormick
29. Jodie Hicks
30. Ally Dallaway
31. Brodee Mowbray
35. Zara Hamilton
40. Tess Cattle
