The GIANTS’ AFL Women's squad will face their first test of 2019 when they take on the Brisbane Lions in a practice match at Leyshon Park in Brisbane on Saturday.
For a number of GIANTS, it will be their first time playing in orange and charcoal. For third-year GIANT Aimee Schmidt the practice match is a great chance to see those new recruits in action, and for some established players to impress after a big pre-season.
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"This pre-season has been harder than the last, it's been quite warm this pre-season, so it's been testing but the group's done well and I think it'll be a good season for us," she said.
"There have been a few girls that have really stepped up this year and I think Jodie Hicks is ready to go and run through the midfield and take on the game.
"We've got a couple of Irish girls (Cora Staunton and Yvonne Bonner) up in the forward line that are definitely going to show us a thing or two, so I can't wait to see them play.
"It'll be great to test out our structures and see how we all gel together as a team in a game situation, I think that's the most important thing, to see where we're at."
The five-period match will also be the first time that Schmidt and the GIANTS will be able to see the new rule changes in a game situation.
"The new 50-metre rule will be interesting to see how it's implemented but I think some of the new rules will really help our game," she said.
"Bringing the boundary throw-ins in 10 metres will help a lot in opening up the game and obviously the play-on from points is going to make the game move faster so hopefully we'll kick more goals from that."
The GIANTS’ practice match against the Lions will be live streamed on the Brisbane Lions Facebook page from 4:00pm AEDT on Saturday, January 19.
