Ingrid Nielsen will make her AFL Women’s debut in the GIANTS’ round four clash with Collingwood in Morwell on Sunday.
The 184cm ruck, who was selected with pick 58 of the 2018 NAB AFLW Draft from the UNSW-ES Bulldogs, comes into the side for Erin McKinnon.
McKinnon, who has not missed a game since debuting in round one, 2017, has been withdrawn from the starting 21 due to illness.
Nielsen was named as an emergency early on Saturday after forward Britt Perry was also withdrawn due to illness.
Part of UNSW-ES’ 2018 AFL Sydney Premiership team, Nielsen led the ruck duties for the Bulldogs throughout the year and impressed for the Northern GIANTS during the 2018 Women’s Winter Series.
While primarily a tap ruck, the 27-year-old paramedic can also hit the scoreboard having kicked 10 goals in 17 games for the Bulldogs in 2018.
Nielsen will become the 48th GIANT to play in the AFLW competition when she debuts alongside former GIANTS Netballer Taylah Davies.
Collingwood v GIANTS
Sunday, February 24 at 2:05pm (EDT)
Morwell Recreation Reserve, Morwell
FB: Ellie Brush, Pepa Randall, Nicola Barr
HB: Amanda Farrugia, Louise Stephenson, Tanya Hetherington
C: Alicia Eva
HF: Elle Bennetts, Yvonne Bonner, Jess Dal Pos
FF: Christina Bernardi, Cora Staunton, Taylah Davies
Ruck: Ingrid Nielsen, Rebecca Beeson, Courtney Gum
Interchange: Maddy Collier, Jacinda Barclay, Tait Mackrill, Haneen Zreika, Alyce Parker
Emergency: Jodie Hicks
In: Ingrid Nielsen (debut), Taylah Davies (debut), Nicola Barr, Haneen Zreika
Out: Erin McKinnon (illness), Renee Tomkins (omitted), Phoebe Monahan (omitted), Jodie Hicks (omitted)
