The GIANTS have named their squad for their final practice match against Richmond on Friday afternoon with defensive general Pepa Randall and star onballer Alyce Parker headlining a trio of inclusions.
Randall will make her long awaited return against the Tigers, which will be live streamed on the GIANTS website, after recovering from a torn ACL suffered in round two last year.
The popular defensive leader is joined in the team by gun midfielder Parker, with the four-time Gabrielle Trainor Medallist set to line up in her first practice match of the year after overcoming a shoulder niggle.
Rising star forward Jess Doyle will also take part in her first official hit out after missing last week’s practice match against Port Adelaide with a finger injury.
Meanwhile, defender Jasmine Grierson will miss the clash with the Tigers as she recovers from a calf injury, while draftee Annise Bradfield will have to wait a little longer for her GIANTS debut as she continues to recover from a Lisfranc injury suffered in pre-season.
Former number one draft pick Izzy Huntington, promising defender Isadora McLeay, and 2022 GIANTS Rising Star winner Emily Pease are all unavailable as they continue their rehab from respective ACL injuries, with the trio expected to return in the front half of the season.
In positive news, new GIANTS Caitlin Miller and Teagan Germech will get their second taste of AFLW action after getting through last week’s first hit-out against the Power unscathed.
Rebecca Beeson, Chloe Dalton, and Fleur Davies will also back it up against the Tigers after the trio successfully overcame their long-term injuries with solid returns against Port Adelaide.
Beeson, who joined the leadership group for the first time this season, returned last week for her first game since round nine of season six, spending almost 18 months battling concussion-related symptoms.
The Gabrielle Trainor Medallist was one of the GIANTS best against the Power.
Gold Coast Academy ruck Davies also made her long-awaited return last week after the promising 19-year-old missed her debut GIANTS season with a shoulder injury suffered in last year’s pre season.
After taking on the Tigers at Blacktown International Sportspark on 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
GIANTS v Richmond
Friday, August 18 at 4:05pm AEST
Blacktown International Sportspark | Darug Country
The practice match will also be live streamed on the GIANTS’ website and feature commentary by highly regarded footy experts Gemma Bastiani and Lucy Watkin.
Squad:
2. Alicia Eva (c)
3. Alyce Parker
4. Katherine Smith
5. Jessica Doyle
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
40. Tess Cattle
