Emerging GIANT Zarlie Goldsworthy has received a 2023 AFLW Rising Star nomination after a standout performance against the Demons in Canberra on Sunday night.

Playing in just her 10^th AFLW game, Goldsworthy finished with 18 disposals (nine contested), four marks, six tackles, three inside-50s and three clearances to be named one of the GIANTS’ best in the loss to the Demons.

Goldsworthy is averaging 14 disposals, five clearances and four tackles across the first two rounds of the season to quickly establish herself as one of the competition’s most promising young stars.

Having previously spent time in the junior Matildas program, the 169cm dynamo was selected with the GIANTS’ first pick in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft where her power and her footy smarts were quickly on display across eight games in her first season.

After kicking two goals on debut in round three against the Swans last season, the creative mid-forward has not missed a game since.

Coach Cam Bernasconi has high hopes for the GIANTS’ latest Rising Star nominee.

“I’m so happy for her, she’s an absolute ripper and we are so lucky to have her,” Bernasconi said.

“Since she’s got to the club, she’s been all in and the playing group loves her.

“She’s so important to us as an 18-year-old and its exciting what she’s going to be for years to come.

“She’s a player you can build your team around.”

Continuing his high praise for the teenager, Bernasconi said Goldsworthy reminded him of one of the stars of the men’s game, GIANTS skipper Toby Greene.

“She’s always been really competitive but she’s starting to have that self-belief this year,” he said.

“She can match it with anyone, and she stands up in big moments.

“She’d love me to refer to her as Toby Greene, but I do think she’s a mini-Toby for us.  Her ability to play in the front half and win one-on-ones and do things others can’t and kick goals others can’t is rare.

“She’s going to put bums on seats for us in the future.”

After playing exclusively up forward last year, Bernasconi was enjoying utilising Goldsworthy more around the ball in her second season.

“She’s playing 50 per cent inside mid and 50 per cent ahead of the footy and it’s asking a lot of an 18-year-old but it’s because I think she’s up to it,” he said.

“She played 100 per cent forward last year and did a fantastic job doing that but we drafted her out of the NAB League as the best mid in the competition so there was always going to be a time when she’s a dominant midfielder but as I said she has traits like Toby [Greene] so she’s great ahead of the footy as well.

“She’s a magnet I love having on the board.”

The GIANTS and their latest rising star will host Richmond at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday at 1:05pm.