To help bring you up to speed on all things GIANTS AFLW, we’re breaking down each area of the ground and assessing how the squad is placed heading into the 2023 season.

The coach:

Former Swans rookie, Lloyd Perris, joined the GIANTS’ coaching setup ahead of the 2022 season as the senior assistant and midfield coach. Perris’ playing career came to an end at 21 after a luckless run with injury, undergoing three knee reconstructions in two years. Moving into the coaching space following his playing career, Perris has coached at AFL Sydney level for the past five years and worked as a development coach at the Swans across the 2019 season. Perris is also a qualified teacher.

Ins:

Annise Bradfield – The former Gold Coast Sun has slotted in seamlessly as a new player. Despite some injury niggles throughout the pre-season, she’s certainly showed why the GIANTS signed her. She’s got some real speed and power and will be a huge asset this season.

Nicola Barr - The midfield has benefited significantly from the professionalism and training standards of Nicola Barr’s move into the ‘mids’. Barr runs incredibly hard which allows her to consistently impact and bring her teammates into the game.

Zarlie Goldsworthy – The 18-year-old will welcome a new role in her second season at AFLW level, due to spend time through both the midfield and up forward. A strong player with good skills, Goldsworthy turns up to every session ready to compete.

Teagan Germech - A new player for the GIANTS this season, Germech is a powerful player who can be really impactful through the midfield or as a ruck. The 20-year-old has a great attitude, has worked hard on her fundamentals and is doing everything it takes to learn to become a competitive player at the AFLW level.

Rene Caris – The newest addition to the GIANTS’ list, the former Cat joined the GIANTS late in pre-season but has already shown her character and athleticism from her VFLW experience. She will add great depth to the GIANTS’ ruck department.

Annalyse Lister – The experienced campaigner will spend time through the midfield and the backline this season. Lister has returned strongly following a calf injury in the pre-season and performed well in her new-look role in the GIANTS’ second practice match against the Tigers. She’ll be a tough match-up for any opposition midfielder this season.

Outs:

Chloe Dalton - 30-year-old Dalton takes on a new role in her third season with the GIANTS, transitioning out of the midfield and into the backline.

Rebecca Beeson – After battling concussion complications last season, Beeson is fit and raring to go, but will return to the GIANTS’ selection conversations in a new-look role as a forward.

Cambridge McCormick - Standing at 180cm tall, McCormick last season played the role as the GIANTS’ go-to ruck. For the 2023 season she moves to the backline, adding some height to the GIANTS’ defensive structure.

Tait Mackrill - Unfortunately Tait Mackrill moved to the inactive list following a stress injury. Mackrill is currently working really hard to get her body to a place where she can play AFLW footy again.

Unchanged:

Alicia Eva – The GIANTS’ captain, Eva works incredibly hard on her body and improving her craft, allowing her to continually evolve her game. As a winger, her speed and smarts make her a very tough match-up for opposition wingers.

Alyce Parker - After managing a shoulder injury throughout pre-season, Parker had the chance to get to work on other parts of her game, including her kicking and forward craft. Perris is excited to see Parker go to another level this season.

Fleur Davies – The promising ruck missed season seven through injury but has already shown that she’s a real competitor. She steps in at every opportunity she gets to compete and has been working hard on her ruck craft with new ruck coach and former Crows AFLW player Rhiannon Metcalfe.

Madison Brazendale – The young Tasmanian had a great first season last year with the GIANTS and came back ready to get to work. She didn’t miss a session over pre-season - this consistency and desire to improve has seen her make great strides to be ready to perform.

Ally Dallaway - Perris believes Ally Dallaway hasn’t missed an extra session or craft session since she’s been at the club. This sort of consistency and diligence is allowing her to develop her game sense to new levels.

Emily Pease – Another GIANT returning from ACL rehab, the season seven Rising Star is going to be a great addition back into the GIANTS’ side. She is a super consistent player with a high work rate and will complement the midfield nicely upon her return.

Zara Hamilton – Young Hamilton always turns up with a great attitude and is ready to compete. Perris looks forward to Hamilton stringing together a solid number of sessions after an injury-impacted pre-season.

State of Play:

It’s exciting to have the addition of Fleur Davies to the playing group this season and there’s been immediate impact in the way she improves the GIANTS’ game plan and ball flow. As a collective this year, the GIANTS believe they have a nice balance of strong contesting players and players with a really high work rate, providing options both inside and outside the contest. Perris said the midfield group wants to be known as a group that works incredibly hard and is going to be hard to play on in 2023.

More of the Same Please:

Madison Brazendale – The raw talent from Tasmania joined the GIANTS during the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft at pick 75. She went on to play every game in her debut season, continually impacting with her run and carry and was awarded the GIANTS’ Rising Star at the Gabrielle Trainor Medal awards night. Looking for her to build on consistency in the upcoming season, Perris believes it is exciting as to where she can take her game and the threat she can become in the GIANTS’ already excelling midfield.

One to Watch:

Late to the GIANTS’ list, joining as a replacement player, Teagan Germech has been quick to show her potential and reward the GIANTS’ recruitment. Perris describes her as an incredibly strong, powerful and resilient player who can play a role in both the midfield of ruck. Germech dominated in the AFL Sydney competition and joins the GIANTS with great attitude and work ethic, ready to be the best AFLW player she can be.