Match Information:
Swans v GIANTS
Sunday, September 3 at 3:05pm
North Sydney Oval | Cammeraygal Country
State of Play:
The GIANTS
With a much healthier list and positive signs across their two practice matches, the GIANTS will enter their second season under coach Cam Bernasconi full of momentum and optimism.
Following a tough loss to a full-strength Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval earlier this month, the GIANTS responded strongly in their second practice match two weeks ago with an impressive come-from-behind win over last year’s semi-finalists, Richmond.
Trailing the Tigers at the last break, the GIANTS produced a four-goal final quarter to overrun the Tigers by 16 points at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The strong performance, along with the arrival of some fresh faces and a host of players returning from injury, has Bernasconi excited for what his team can achieve this season.
“I think it [the win over the Tigers] showed that if we play to our best, we should be able to match it with anyone this year,” he said.
“It was a really positive hit out in true game-like circumstances and a great reflection of the block of work we have just put in to close out pre-season.”
Bernasconi said consistency and continuity would be keys to rebounding from last season’s 11th placed finish as the GIANTS prepare to face their little sister, the Swans, on Sunday.
The Opposition
Despite having not yet won a game in the competition, finishing their debut season with the wooden spoon and winless in all 10 games, the Swans will enter the 2023 season with lofty expectations following the highly publicised recruitment of their two new co-captains, Chloe Molloy and Lucy McEvoy.
“Our focus is clearly on winning grand finals,” Swans AFLW coach Scott Gowans said ahead of the season.
“There’s no point saying we want to do it in three years’ time, we want to do it now. We aren’t here to participate, we are here to win.”
Recent History:
Sunday’s opening round clash will be just the second time the cross-town rivals have met in the AFLW, with the GIANTS registering a 9.11 (65) to 2.6 (18) victory over the expansion side in their first and only other prior match-up in round three at the SCG last year.
Several GIANTS stood tall in the convincing 47-point win, with Alyce Parker (22 touches, five clearances), Alicia Eva (19 touches, five tackles) and Tarni Evans (18 touches) finding plenty of the ball.
Emily Pease (16 touches, seven tackles, five clearances) and Nicola Barr (15 disposals, two goals) were also hugely influential.
GIANTS Player to Watch:
2019 Gabrielle Trainor Medallist Rebecca Beeson is set to return to the field for the GIANTS this season after missing majority of the past two seasons with concussion implications. The 26-year-old is an inaugural GIANT and has put her experience and class on display throughout pre-season. Following her long layoff, Beeson is viewed somewhat like a new recruit for the GIANTS this season and is set to make a big big impact.
In the Mix:
Outside of Meghan Gaffney and Tait Mackrill, who will both miss the 2023 season with knee injuries, the GIANTS are fortunate to have a large majority of their squad available for the season opener with the Swans.
Defensive general Pepa Randall is one of several GIANTS in line to make their long-awaited return to AFLW football against the Swans after the popular defender’s successful rehab from a torn ACL suffered in round two last year.
Rebecca Beeson and Chloe Dalton also are strong chances to take on the Swans after successfully overcoming their long-term injuries with solid returns in the GIANTS’ pre-season practice matches.
Beeson, who joined the leadership group for the first time this season, returned for her first games since round nine of the first season last year after spending almost 18 months battling concussion-related symptoms.
Meanwhile Dalton looks ready to go after overcoming a calf injury which forced her to miss the second half of last season.
There is also a number of potential debutants pushing their claims for selection on Sunday, get to know them here.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their round one squad at 6:20pm on Thursday with the final team named at 5pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
A number of GIANTS are recovering well from long-term injuries and will press their claims for an early season return.
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Swans here.
Where to Watch:
Sunday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on Channel 7 in NSW and the ACT from 3pm.
from 3pm.
Social Media:
Follow the GIANTS’ brand new Instagram account, @GIANTS_AFLW, and be part of the #BigBigSound in 2023!
