A trio of young GIANTS are nearing returns from respective ACL injuries as the 2023 NAB AFLW season gets underway this week.

After leadership group member and important defender Pepa Randall returned from her own ACL injury last practice match, young forward-turned-defender Isadora McLeay will play her first unofficial game in GIANTS colours this weekend.

19-year-old McLeay joined the GIANTS’ squad full-time ahead of season six as a replacement player, but unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury during pre-season, delaying her promising career. 

After more than 12 months on the sidelines, McLeay will play in a scrimmage against the Swans this Saturday and is expected to be available for AFLW selection from next week.

Meanwhile, young guns Emily Pease and Izzy Huntington are expected to play in a multi-club scrimmage alongside the Swans and Geelong next weekend as the pair eye returns in round three of the AFLW season.

21-year-old Pease enjoyed a standout season in 2022, playing nine games on her way to claiming the GIANTS’ Rising Star Award, before injuring her ACL ahead of round eight last season.

Huntington, an All Australian, club champion and rising star winner, is looking to make her GIANTS debut in her return in round three after crossing to the GIANTS ahead of season seven. The 23-year-old star forward last played in round one of season six.

Meanwhile, new recruit Annise Bradfield has begun on-field running after managing as lisfranc injury sustained in pre-season. She’s continuing to progress in her rehab and is looking to return to the field from round five onwards.

The GIANTS open their eighth season in the competition when they take on the Swans at North Sydney Oval on Sunday at 3:05pm.

Injury List – August 30