GIANTS AFLW vice-captain Alicia Eva has praised experienced duo Phoebe McWilliams and Courtney Gum on the latest instalment of the GIANTS’ official AFLW podcast.
The two older heads have been in brilliant form for the GIANTS across the first three rounds of the AFLW season and were instrumental in the GIANTS’ first win of the season.
Both Gum and McWilliams kicked two goals to lead the club to a 13-point win over Collingwood last Sunday, with McWilliams’ haul taking her to the top of the competition’s goalkickers list.
Eva told the GIANTS’ AFLW podcast A Club Like No Other that she’s not been surprised by McWilliams’ recent form and is pleased the 32-year-old is receiving the recognition she deserves.
“Phoebe’s one of those girls who is from Victoria who I’ve seen play over a number of years,” Eva said.
“She doesn’t know this but I saw her play when I was 12-years-old and she was actually playing against my sister in a school competition.
“I was kind of hurling abuse at Phoebe over the sideline because she was beating up my sister’s team.
“She didn’t grow up in this youth girls space but she’s always been a super, super talent but probably missed that boat in riding the wave with all those big names coming through.
“It’s fantastic to see she’s now being recognised for being the footballer she is.”
The rise of midfielder Courtney Gum hasn’t gone unnoticed either. Eva paid tribute to the skills and leadership the 36-year-old has brought to the playing group.
“Gummo has been huge and if she’s not a cult hero already she will be, to us girls to us she has been since day one,” she said.
“A few of the girls have come across her in the past playing against her in New South Wales and I played against her a few years ago in an exhibition game and she is an elite talent.
“She has elite hands, she’s skilful on both sides of her body and can play inside and outside.”
Eva said despite Gum being the oldest player in the squad, her work ethic in the gym and on the ground has been a shining example for the younger players.
“Courtney is another one of those experienced players who knows when to speak and what to say,” she said.
“She’s very much a leader and there’s no ego at all so I think that’s one of the best things about her that she is this star to everyone but you wouldn’t know it because she’s got no ego.
“She’s been a workhorse in the gym, out on the track and she’s working at the same time.
“I can’t wait to see her line up against Erin Philips this week because she keeps on telling me she’s trying to get her biceps as big as Erin’s.”
The GIANTS play Adelaide on Sunday, February 25 at Blacktown International Sportspark at 4:35pm. Entry is FREE, gates open at 3:00pm.
A Club Like No Other is available on the Apple Podcast App, new episodes are released every Wednesday.
