Former Cat Rene Caris will get her second chance at AFLW this weekend when she runs out in the orange and charcoal for the first time.
The 24-year-old has been named in Cam Bernasconi’s team of 21 which is set to take on the West Coast Eagles at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.
The 184cm ruck joined the GIANTS’ list on the eve of the 2023 season, as a replacement player for small forward Meghan Gaffney who was ruled out of the season with an ACL injury.
Hailing from rural Victoria, Caris first got a taste of AFLW when she was drafted to the Geelong Cats in 2018. Debuting in round five, 2019, Caris went on to play 12 games in the hoops before being delisted following season six of the competition.
A second chance means everything to the 24-year-old, with the emotions taking over following finding out the news she’d been selected to play in round six.
“It’s so exciting, it means a lot,” Caris said.
“I made such a big life change to move up to Sydney and all the hard work I've done over the past 18 months of so to get back here has paid off.
“The sacrifices in my personal life, study – it has all been worth it. There is still work to be done this weekend but it shows you can do it and I've done it.”
Caris had never even been to Sydney prior to accepting the replacement player offer from the GIANTS.
“I knew Parkes [Alyce Parker] from U’18 Academy so it was nice to have a familiar face when you move somewhere you’ve never even been before,” said Caris.
“She’s just been my rock. She’s got me through, showed me around, I can’t thank her enough.”
The welcoming and supportive nature of the players and staff has been a common trend for the former Victorian.
“It’s such a great culture at the GIANTS,” she said.
“I could not believe how welcomed I felt when I first moved up here. Every day someone is messaging you wanting to hang out.
“And the coaches, having them at a full-time capacity means more resources which has been fantastic not only for my game but is a great result for the future of the game.”
It was coaches Cam Bernasconi and Lloyd Perris who got to be the ones to break the news to the GIANTS debutant.
“I honestly did not expect it, I was oblivious,” laughed Caris.
“I’d already texted Lloyd to catch up to look over some edits and then Cam called me to say did you want to come in to look at those edits,” Caris said.
“I was already five minutes down the road but I thought I better turn back around.
“And I'm certainly glad I did.”
The GIANTS’ have added Caris to the round six team in a bid to record their first win of the season when they take on the 16th placed Eagles on Saturday.
“I just want to bring my weapons this weekend,” the excited club debutant said.
“That’s what Berna [Cam Bernasconi] drills into us all. He gives me great confidence that I know what I can do which is just competing and contesting in the air and at ground level.
