GIANTS AFLW coach Cam Bernasconi is thrilled with the club’s return to the VFLW as several of his AFLW stars and emerging youngsters use the competition as the perfect preparation for the upcoming AFLW season.

On Saturday the GIANTS’ VFLW side made it two from two to open their five-game VFLW campaign, smashing the Southern Saints by 62 points in a lopsided affair following their eight-point win over the Blues the week prior.

With no AFLW-listed players in their side, the Saints found it tough going against the GIANTS who kept the visitors goalless in a dominant display to run out 9.10 (64) to 0.2 (2) winners at Blacktown International SportsPark on Saturday afternoon.

Leading the way in the big win was reigning Gabrielle Trainor medallist Zarlie Goldsworthy who gathered a match-high 28 disposals and four goals to go along with seven tackles and five clearances in a commanding display.

Young forward Jess Doyle also starred up forward alongside Goldsworthy with 22 touches and two goals.

Haneen Zreika (24 touches, six tackles), Madison Brazendale (24 touches, four tackles), and new recruit Mikayla Pauga (20 touches, 14 tackles) were also strong contributors.

“Once again, we won playing the GIANTS’ way,” Bernasconi said on the big win.

“We scored heavily off turnover as our pressure was really high which allowed us to get the ball in our front half and create a lot of scoring opportunities which was pleasing to see.

“We knew we were going against a team that didn’t have any AFLW-listed players so we knew our system and structure would probably be our advantage and I thought our girls played their roles within the structure really well which allowed us to set the field up to kick a score which was pleasing.”

Bernasconi said the club’s inclusion in the VFLW this season was full of benefits.

“It’s such a positive that we can start practicing the way we want to play now and not have to wait until August when we have our first practice games,” he said.

“You get that side of learning the game plan, but it also allows players to play themselves into form now and get some real belief in what they’re doing.

“A number of players have had consecutive good games now and so they start to get real belief in themselves and get that real confidence in their game.

“Yes, it’s at VFLW level not AFLW level, but I think that’s’ been one of the big highlights is that our players are playing a really strong brand individually within our game plan which is really exciting.”

The third-year-coach said another pleasing aspect of their VFLW campaign to date was the performances of a host of the club’s new players.

“All of our first-year players who have come into the program have all adapted to the GIANTS game plan and are playing their role really well and learning really quickly.

“It’s something that’s been a pleasant surprise to see them come in and adapt so quickly.

“We’ve only been training together for seven weeks but you can see they’ve actually picked up the way we want to play really quickly which has been impressive from all our new players.”

He added that some of the club’s younger players had taken big strides in the early goings of the VFLW season, highlighting Madison Brazendale as one who has caught his eye.

“Some of our players coming into their second or third year have really started to step forward and have had really good starts to the 2024 program.

“She [Brazendale] is a great example of a player coming into her third season and she’s taken a massive step forward.

“She’s worked a lot on the physical side of the game which now allows her to win more contested footy and she’s had a really impressive start to the VFLW program. She’s been one that has certainly taken the most of these opportunities.”

Bernasconi also shared his assessment on all AFLW-listed GIANTS who appeared in Saturday’s clash below.

The GIANTS’ VFLW side will look to make it three wins in a row when they host the Cats at Tom Willis Oval on Saturday at 1pm. 

AFLW Players:

3. Eilish O’Dowd

Seven disposals, eight tackles, eight hit-outs

“She showed massive growth in her second game of footy. You can see she’s going to really challenge opposition with her run and carry.”

5. Jessica Doyle

22 disposals, two goals, five tackles

“Another really good game from her. She’s worked really hard and you can see it paying off already.”

7. Zarlie Goldsworthy

28 disposals, four goals, seven tackles, five clearances

“An outstanding game. Her ability to find the ball but also have some really high score involvements and kick four goals was very impressive.”

12. Mikayla Pauga

20 disposals, 14 tackles, three clearances

“Mikayla had a really good game in the midfield. She had 14 tackles and really led the way with our pressure around the ball. She’s going to be a great inclusion for us [AFLW side].”

14. Kaitlyn Srhoj

13 disposals, three tackles, two clearances

“Kaitlyn is getting better and better and she’s looking more confident at this level. She’s going to be a future talent.”

18. Tarni Evans

19 disposals, three marks

“Her ability to generate turnover from our back half was great. She led the backline really well.”

20. Fleur Davies 

13 disposals, 24 hit-outs, six tackles, three clearances

“Fleur dominated the ruck and took real advantage. She’s another one that has taken a real step forward this season.”

23. Madison Brazendale

24 disposals, four marks, four tackles

“Another strong game. It looks like she’s taken a massive step forward for us this year.”

24. Haneen Zreika

24 disposals, six tackles, one goal

“It was her first game back and her pressure were elite. Her ability to win the ball back for us but also challenge the opposition and attack as well was great.”

25. Cambridge McCormick

12 disposals, three tackles

“Cambridge is getting better and better. Her ability to generate intercept is a real weapon of hers this year.”

26. Claire Ransom

11 disposals, five tackles, three clearances

“It was her first game and she looked really comfortable playing inside. She competed really hard for four quarters.”

28. Daisy Walker

11 disposals, three marks, four tackles

“She really diligently plays her role.  She’s going to be really hard to beat one-on-one and she’s going to be important for us this year.”

32. Courtney Murphy 

Seven disposals, eight hit-outs

“It was Courtney’s first game for the club and she looked really dangerous just playing forward this week. She provides another target for us ahead of the ball.”

33. Emily Pease

11 disposals, three tackles, two clearances 

“She looks above the level. She’s just super clean and has high impact every time she goes near the ball. “

VFLW Player Shoutout: Teagan Germech

13 disposals, seven marks 

“Teagan played really well behind the ball and took some really good intercept marks for us. She showed she can be a key defender and it was exciting for ‘Teags’.”