In a major boost for the GIANTS’ AFL Women's program, the club has successfully re-signed 21 of its players for the 2020 season.
Captain Amanda Farrugia, vice-captain Alicia Eva, reigning Gabrielle Trainor Medallist Rebecca Beeson and Rising Star nominees Alyce Parker and Haneen Zreika lead the list of players to recommit to the GIANTS.
Virgin Australia AFLW All Australians Jessica Dal Pos and Erin McKinnon have also put pen to paper on new deals, while foundation GIANTS Ellie Brush, Louise Stephenson, Nicola Barr, Jacinda Barclay and Aimee Schmidt have recommitted to the club.
Exciting Irish imports Cora Staunton and Yvonne Bonner have extended their Australian Football careers and former netballers Elle Bennetts and Taylah Davies are committed for another season.
Versatile tall Ingrid Nielsen, defenders Pepa Randall and Tanya Hetherington and country New South Wales product Jodie Hicks round out the first group of re-signings.
Meanwhile, Canberra-based midfielder Britt Tully returns to the GIANTS, having stepped away from the game in November last year due to personal reasons.
The re-signings put the GIANTS in a strong position ahead of the 2020 season, which will see the arrival of four expansion clubs: West Coast, Gold Coast, Richmond and St Kilda.
GIANTS AFLW head coach Alan McConnell said he’s pleased the club has managed to retain such a large number of experienced and developing players.
“It’s an interesting time in the evolution of the women’s game so to have that many players recommit to the GIANTS is a fantastic outcome for our football club and specifically our team,” McConnell said.
“Clearly there has been a lot of player movement throughout the trade period, so to have such a large number of players want to stay at this club and achieve something special is a great endorsement of our program.
"We were disappointed with our results this season, but can’t wait to make amends in 2020 and beyond.”
Beeson, who claimed the GIANTS’ club champion award earlier this month, said she didn’t think twice before putting pen to paper on a new deal.
“It’s very exciting because I think we’re building something special, despite this last season not being what we wanted,” she said.
“Being the only club in Sydney and being a Sydney girl, this is my home, it would feel weird for me to turn my back on my home club.
“It was an obvious decision for me to stay and build the game here in New South Wales.”
During the AFLW Sign and Trade period, Emma Swanson and Maddy Collier joined expansion club West Coast, while Christina Bernardi and Phoebe Monahan moved to another expansion club in Richmond.
2020 GIANTS AFLW List Changes
Re-signed:
Amanda Farrugia
Alicia Eva
Cora Staunton
Haneen Zreika
Elle Bennetts
Nicola Barr
Ellie Brush
Jacinda Barclay
Louise Stephenson
Rebecca Beeson
Pepa Randall
Erin McKinnon
Yvonne Bonner
Alyce Parker
Jodie Hicks
Aimee Schmidt
Ingrid Nielsen
Tanya Hetherington
Jessica Dal Pos
Britt Tully
Taylah Davies (Rookie)
List changes:
Emma Swanson (West Coast)
Maddy Collier (West Coast)
Christina Bernardi (Richmond)
Phoebe Monahan (Richmond)
Courtney Gum (Retired)
The first of two AFLW Sign and Trade Periods concludes at 5pm on Thursday, April 18.
Key dates for the 2019 AFLW Sign and Trade Period:
April 8-18: Sign & Trade Period 1 (including expansion signings)
April 23: 2019 NAB AFLW Draft order confirmed
April 23-26: Sign & Trade Period 2 (excluding expansion signings)
April 26-30: Free Agency
May 3: List Lodgement 1
