AFLW head coach Cam Bernasconi says the GIANTS’ red-hot start to their VFLW stint continues to bear fruit with several newcomers shining as they get much-needed game time for the upcoming AFLW season.
The GIANTS continued their strong VFLW campaign on Saturday as they made it three wins from three matches with an impressive 85-point smashing of Geelong at Tom Wills Oval in Sydney.
Keeping the visitors goalless in the first half, and to just one major for the match, the GIANTS dominated the clash to register an emphatic 14.10 (94) to 1.3 (9) win.
Several AFLW GIANTS starred in the win, with reigning best and fairest winner Zarlie Goldsworthy again the pick of the bunch with 28 touches and three goals in another commanding display.
Unbeaten through the first three of five VFLW games this season, Bernasconi was again pleased with the performance of his young side against the Cats.
“The most pleasing thing is we are winning playing to our system,” he said.
“It was a really windy and scrappy day but our ability to still try and play our brand in scrappy conditions was really pleasing.
“We had a big focus on going inside 40m better and I thought we did that on the weekend so there was rapid improvement on that which was great to see.”
Bernasconi reiterated that the GIANTS’ inclusion in the VFLW this year was full of positives, highlighting Irish rookie Eilish O’Dowd as a great example of using the competition to prepare for the upcoming AFLW season.
In just her third-ever game of Australian Rules football, O’Dowd starred on Saturday to finish with 24 disposals, 10 hit-outs, three tackles, three clearances and a goal.
“When you talk about the purpose of this block of VFLW, it’s about improving our fundamentals and physical components, along with an opportunity to play our system with a lot of new players, and Eilish is a great example of someone who is getting all of those benefits,” Bernasconi said of the 26-year-old rookie.
“She’s improving with her fundamentals week in and week out, she’s able to show her strengths with her physical traits with her ability to outwork and beat opposition rucks by covering the ground, and then she’s learning how to play our way as well.
“It’s three games in and she looks really comfortable, so it’s awesome for her.”
Bernasconi was equally as rapt with fellow newcomer Kaitlyn Srhoj, with the highly touted number three pick from last year’s draft impressing in her brief stint as a GIANT.
“The VFLW has been great because the best thing for these new players like Kaitlyn is that they get games together and they start to learn the way we want to play, and you can see they all take massive steps forward each week,” Bernasconi said.
“Kaitlyn is one that’s really benefiting, and with 27 touches on Saturday as an 18-year-old playing in the midfield, it’s pretty exciting to see.”
Fellow recruit, former Brisbane Lions premiership player Mikaya Pauga, also received praise from her new coach after another strong performance.
Joining the club in the off-season following the 2023 premiership with the Lions, the youngster has started her time as a GIANT in strong fashion, registering 20 touches and a monster 14 tackles last week in a win over the Saints before notching up 23 touches, two goals, six tackles and five clearances against the Cats.
“For someone that is only 21, she plays with so much calmness. She looks above the level, and as she should after coming off the back of winning an AFLW premiership,” Bernasconi said.
“You can see that her attributes are going to transfer over into this GIANTS team and she’s going to be a really important player for us.”
The GIANTS will now look to make it four wins in a row when they travel to take on Port Melbourne in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
Bernasconi also gave his assessment on each of the GIANTS’ AFLW-listed players who featured in Saturday’s win.
AFLW-listed GIANTS
3. Eilish O'Dowd
24 disposals, one goal, 10 hit-outs, three marks, three tackles, three clearances
“Best game yet – showing rapid growth at the moment.”
4. Katherine Smith
18 disposals
“First game back and hasn’t missed a beat. Didn’t look rusty at all.”
5. Jessica Doyle
11 disposals, one goal
“Continues to show she’s a much-improved player this season. Is setting herself up for a strong year.”
7. Zarlie Goldsworthy
28 disposals, three goals, six tackles, seven clearances
“Another game where she dominated and continues to add elements to her game.”
9. Caitlin Miller
Seven disposals
“Her first game back in a new position. She’ll take lots of learning from playing half-back.
12. Mikayla Pauga
23 disposals, two goals, six tackles, five clearances
“Another dominant display in the midfield. Kicking two goals as a mid is also really exciting.”
14. Kaitlyn Srhoj
27 disposals, one goal, five marks, five tackles, three clearances
“Her best game yet. She’s starting to really show her attributes for the GIANTS.”
17. Georgia Garnett
14 disposals, three tackles
“It was her first game back, and she was really composed and looked dangerous ahead of the ball.”
18. Tarni Evans
13 disposals, four goals, nine tackles
“Great ability to go to the other end of the ground and have high impact by kicking four goals in the second half.”
23. Madi Brazendale
20 disposals, four tackles
“Continues to be in strong form. Her speed and work rate are a step above.”
25. Cambridge McCormick
12 disposals, three tackles
“Rock solid down back.”
26. Claire Ransom
18 disposals, five clearances
“Her second game and it was her best. Her ability to win contested ball and also transition is really important for us.”
28. Daisy Walker
10 disposals
“Solid down back.”
32. Courtney Murphy
12 disposals, one goal, 17 hit-outs, four clearances
“Looked really dangerous ahead of the footy and also provided strong ruck contest for us.”
33. Emily Pease
13 disposals, two tackles
“Really solid on the wing. Doesn’t make any mistakes and is a really good clean ball user and a great decision maker.”
VFLW player shoutout: Caitlin Fletcher
11 disposals, six tackles, six clearances
“She’s a great competitor and has had a few really good weeks at this level.”
