Prized recruit Kaitlyn Srhoj will realise her AFLW dream on Saturday after being named to debut in the GIANTS’ season opener against the Western Bulldogs in Canberra.
Taken with pick three in last year’s draft, Srhoj (a surname of Croatian origin and pronounced Sir-hoy) has wasted little time impressing in her first AFLW pre-season and will be rewarded with an AFLW debut against the Dogs.
A tough but smooth-moving 175cm midfielder capable of playing both inside or on the wing, Srhoj was selected with the GIANTS’ first pick following a pair of starring seasons for Peel Thunder in the WAFL, as well as dominant form for Western Australia in the Under-18 National Championships.
Hailing from Mandurah just south of Perth, the 19-year-old has fit in seamlessly to her new home in Sydney to earn herself an immediate debut as part of the GIANTS’ new-look midfield in the opening week of the AFLW season.
The talented teenager was told of her upcoming debut by coach Cam Bernasconi in front of the entire playing group on Thursday morning, with Srhoj brought to tears upon hearing the news, expressing it was a ‘dream come true.’
Srhoj was also quick to call back home to Western Australia to share the special news with her parents.
Highlighting the promise she’s already shown, the GIANTS recently signed Srhoj to a three-year contract extensionto tie her to the club until at least the end of the 2027 AFLW season.
Also a talented junior basketballer, Srhoj established herself as one of the country’s best young footy talents over the last few years at underage level, named in the 2023 Under-18 All-Australian team and was also a member of the AFLW National Academy.
Previously part of the Mandurah Magic's NBL1 roster and a member of national under-age basketball teams, Srhoj only started playing football five years ago as a 14-year-old but has quickly risen to become one of the best young talents in the country.
A great athlete, the West Australian possesses elite evasive skills and is composed through traffic, with her competitive nature and will to win also standout traits across her first pre-season.
Eager to test herself against the best in the country, Srhoj will make her AFLW debut at 1:05pm on Saturday at Manuka Oval as the GIANTS kick-start their season against the Western Bulldogs.
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GIANTS fans can purchase tickets to Saturday’s match via Ticketek.
