The GIANTS’ Women’s Winter Series squads will head north to Queensland this weekend for the second round of the new competition.
The Northern GIANTS take on Brisbane on Saturday in Aspley, while the Southern GIANTS face the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday at Southport.
AFLW Virgin Australia All Australian ruck Erin McKinnon said she’s looking forward to her second game for the Northern GIANTS after playing a key role in their win over the Suns a fortnight ago.
The challenge of taking on a strong Brisbane side is something she’s looking forward to.
“Coming into the Winter Series games, we always knew that Brisbane was going to be a really strong side, seeing that their list is made up of mostly AFLW players,” McKinnon said.
“We have a lot of other girls who have shown at training and during the round one game that they are capable of playing at an AFLW level.
“It’ll be a really good contest up in Brisbane on Saturday and we are definitely going to bring the heat.”
McKinnon, who is contracted to the GIANTS for the 2019 AFLW season, said she doesn’t see the game as an opportunity for the GIANTS to avenge their heartbreaking loss to the Lions earlier this year.
“Yeah that last loss to Brisbane in AFLW was definitely a tough one, but we have to move on from that,” she said.
“Given that these games aren’t for AFLW premiership points, and that we are a slightly different team, we’re mainly just focusing on playing a really good game of footy.
“However, it definitely will make a win that little bit sweeter.”
While tracking the progress of the GIANTS’ AFLW-listed players is high on the agenda for many, the competition also serves as an opportunity for up-and-coming players to press their case ahead of the NAB AFLW Draft in October.
McKinnon said she’s been impressed by a number of her teammates as they push for higher
“Meagan ‘Tassie’ Kiely really stood last week, out winning a lot of contested ball for us in the midfield and she is definitely one to watch against Brisbane,” she said.
“I was also really impressed by Lauren Houghton, who played her role on the wing to a T and laid some great tackles.
“Sarah Halverson also took some great contested marks in the forward line.”
Meanwhile, the Southern GIANTS will be looking for their first win of the Winter Series after failing to trouble the scorers against the Lions.
AFLW-contracted players Britt Tully and Jodie Hicks are expected to play, with Tully one of the Southern GIANTS’ best performers in the opening round and starring for the Gungahlin Jets in the Canberra Women’s competition last weekend.
Winter Series Round 2
Brisbane Lions V Northern GIANTS
Saturday, June 9
Aspley
Gold Coast Suns V Southern GIANTS
Sunday, June 10
Zillmere
