Match Information:

GIANTS v Demons
Sunday, September 10 at 5:05pm
Manuka Oval| Ngunnawal Country

State of Play:

The GIANTS

Season 2023 started in heartbreaking fashion for the GIANTS with a nail-biting five-point loss to the Swans in the opening round at North Sydney Oval.

Controlling the game for the majority of the first three terms, the GIANTS let a four-goal lead late in the third term evaporate as the Swans stormed home before hanging on for a thrilling 7.9 (51) to 7.4 (46) win.

It was a tough pill to swallow for the GIANTS who did not trail in the match until the seven-minute mark of the final term as the Swans surged to their maiden AFLW victory.

The GIANTS will now look to bounce back and secure their first win of the season against the reigning premiers, Melbourne, at Manuka Oval on Sunday.

GIANTS coach Cam Bernasconi said his side had already moved on from its opening round loss while taking learnings from the performance.

'It's such a short season that you can't hang up on the emotion of losing for too long," he said.

"We just broke down a bit with our system late in the third quarter which opened the door for the Swans and having (Chloe) Molloy kick that goal late brought the crowd into it and momentum was then with the Swans."

"We just went away from the way we want to play and our system. I think the girls have real clarity on what to do now and when momentum starts to swing.”

Despite the opening round loss there were a number of positive signs for the GIANTS, with a host of players shining against the Swans.

Midfield stars Alyce Parker (22 touches, five clearances, one goal) and Alicia Eva (21 disposals, four tackles) started their seasons with a bang, while young guns Tarni Evans (20 touches) and Georgia Garnett (two goals, 10 disposals) showed they’re ready to become stars of the competition.

The Opposition:

The reigning premiers got their season off to a flyer last week with a convincing 42-point win over Collingwood at Ikon Park.

After unfurling their premiership flag from last season, the Dees were slow out of the blocks but quickly fired up to begin their quest for back-to-back flags in sizzling fashion.

Trailing by eight points at the end of the first half, Melbourne shook off any signs of a premiership hangover with a completely dominant second half, keeping the Pies goalless while piling on eight majors of their own to claim an impressive 13.13 (73) to 4.7 (31) victory.

The Demons outscored the Pies 8.6 (54) to 0.4 (4) across the final two quarters to emphatically underline their premiership credentials for the 2023 season.

The reigning premiers were best served by Tyla Hanks (16 disposals, five marks), Lily Mithen (18 disposals), Alyssa Bannan (17 disposals, three goals), and Olivia Purcell (19 disposals, four tackles). 

Recent History:

You need to go all the way back to round six of season six for the last time the GIANTS and Melbourne faced off in an AFLW fixture where it was the Demons who were too strong with a 37-point victory at Casey Fields.

The Demons got the jump on the GIANTS to open up a 14-point quarter- time lead and from there never looked back as the youthful GIANTS struggled to penetrate the Dees sturdy defence.

In a tough day, the GIANTS were kept scoreless until the final minutes as they suffered a 6.8 (44) to 1.1 (7) defeat to the eventual grand final runner-up.

GIANTS Player to Watch: 

Emerging GIANT Tarni Evans showed in last weekend’s season opener that she’s ready to take her game to another level this season.

After finishing third in the Gabrielle Trainor medal count last year, the 21-year-old looks primed to continue her emergence as one of the competition’s most exciting youngsters.

Showing dash and composure well beyond her years, Evans finished with game-highs in kicks (19) and metres gained (571m) in an impressive 20-disposal, five-mark, six-clearance performance.

Hailing from Tathra on the NSW coast but spending two years in Canberra in pursuit of her AFLW dreams, Evans will be one to watch as she returns to the nation’s capital looking to continue her hot start to the season against the Demons.

In the Mix: 

Emerging young defender Isadora McLeay has been cleared to return to senior AFLW action following her ACL rehabilitation and will look to press her claims for a debut in the coming weeks.

McLeay joined the GIANTS ahead of season six but unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury during pre-season, delaying her promising career. 

The 19-year-old has put her hand up for selection after making a successful return through a scrimmage with the Swans last week.

Draftee Caitlin Miller, GIANTS Academy youngster Tess Cattle, and experienced campaigner Jasmine Grierson could all come into contention to take on the Demons after being named as emergencies last week.

Team Selection:

The GIANTS will name their round two squad at 6:20pm on Thursday with the final team named at 5pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.

Rehab Report:

It’s good news on the injury front with some key GIANTS finalising their rehab from respective ACL injuries.

Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Demons here. 

Where to Watch:

Sunday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and kayo national and on 7 Mate in NSW and the ACT from 5pm.

Social Media:

Follow the GIANTS’ brand new Instagram account, @GIANTS_AFLW, and be part of the #BigBigSound in 2023!