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:

Jon Vlatko joined the GIANTS’ AFLW coaching staff as forwards coach in 2019 and is coming into his sixth season in the role. Previously an assistant coach at the NSW Women’s Academy, Vlatko is a four-time premiership player with AFL Sydney side, the East Coast Eagles. A life member of the Eagles, Vlatko captained the club, played over 200 games and also coached there.   

Ins: 

Rebecca Beeson - After an extended break on the sidelines due to concussion, Beeson has not missed a beat during pre-season, and is primed to bring her weapons to the group, as she did as a former GIANTS club champion. Beeson has made the move to the forward line but we’ll no doubt see her spend some time through the midfield as well. 

Izzy Huntington – Former number one draft pick, Rising Star winner and Bulldogs club champion, Huntington has returned to full training with the group and has had a strong preparation for her comeback to the AFLW. Expected to make her return in round three, GIANTS fans will see her overhead skill and genuine talent on display.

Caitlin Miller - A recruit to the GIANTS this season, Miller has been embraced by the forward line with her swagger and confidence around the goals. The sharpshooter will certainly impress, and even though it’s her first year, has been challenging for selection. Look out for number 9 impacting the scoreboard across this season.

Outs: 

Nicola Barr – The inaugural GIANT made her mark up forward across both seasons in 2022, kicking her first-ever goal in season six to finish with five for the season, before following up with a two-goal performance in the first-ever Sydney Derby. Barr has made the move to the midfield this season where she’s had a big impact. 

Georgie Fowler – 19-year-old Fowler departed the GIANTS at the end of season seven with three games to her name. She will look to make her Demons debut this year, after being signed by Melbourne as a delisted free agent.

Meghan Gaffney - In her second year of AFLW, Meghan Gaffney really hit the ground running. After the devastating news of an ACL rupture during pre-season, Gaffney’s bubbly nature and positive influence on the group has not wavered.

Casidhe Simmons – The former heptathlete played two games in her debut season in season six before unfortunately being sidelined with concussion complications for all of season seven. Simmons was delisted at the end of her second season.

Cora Staunton – Arguably the GIANTS’ greatest-ever female player, 41-year-old Staunton retired at the end of season seven after 50 games across six seasons. Staunton made history as the first Irish recruit to join the competition and quickly became the GIANTS’ focal point in attack. Kicking 55 goals in that time, Staunton was the third player in competition history to hit the 50-goal milestone and did so in the fewest games. 

Unchanged: 

Jess Doyle - Jess Doyle has had an impressive pre-season, working incredibly hard in the gym to record multiple personal bests. Forwards coach Jon Vlatko looks forward to seeing her use this strength against opposition defenders to create space.

Georgia Garnett - Vlatko believes that Georgia Garnett’s 2022 season was worthy of All Australian selection. ‘GG’ has impressed in her new leadership role throughout pre-season preparations. She will lead the forward line this year and continue to add layers to her game.

Brodee Mowbray - Through a really strong pre-season, Brodee Mowbray has become more confident than ever, and is very comfortable in her role. Not only will she be a threat in the air, but also at ground level. 

Haneen Zreika - In Vlatko’s opinion, Zreika is one of the best high-pressure forwards in the competition. He looks forward to her wreaking havoc in the forward line this season and causing multiple turnovers per game.

State of Play:

With the retirement of Cora Staunton, the GIANTS’ forward line will be one of the youngest and least experienced in the competition, but certainly not without talent and ambition. Garnett is ready to take the AFLW by storm, Huntington has already proven herself as one of the best prospects in the League, and there are a host of young local players in Doyle, Mowbray and Beeson ready to make their mark.

More of the Same Please:

Georgia Garnett – Still only 21 and hailing from Castle Hill in Western Sydney, Garnett has burst onto the AFLW scene over the past few seasons. A star junior who represented NSW/ACT at three NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships, Garnett started her career as a defender, where she took home the GIANTS’ rising star in 2021. A move forward in the second season of 2022 paid dividends as she kicked six goals and finished runner up in the Gabrielle Trainor Medal.

One to Watch:

Rebecca Beeson – Beeson is an inaugural GIANT but could almost be considered a new recruit for the GIANTS this season. After making her name as a classy inside midfielder, which resulted in her winning the 2019 Gabrielle Trainor Medal, the now-26-year-old has missed the past two seasons with concussion implications. Making her return to AFLW level as a forward, Beeson has impressed in the two practice-matches, kicking goals in each, with her experience and composure shining through.