Pippa Smyth with become the ninth GIANT to make her AFL Women’s debut this year when she pulls on the orange, charcoal and white jumper against Adelaide at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday.
Hailing from the New South Wales north coast town of Nelson Bay, the 22-year-old played for the Nelson Bay Marlins in the Black Diamond League before her performances caught the eye of the GIANTS, who invited her to the club’s testing day at the WestConnex Centre last November.
Smyth’s efforts there didn’t go unnoticed and she was invited to the 2017 NAB AFL Women’s Draft Combine in October where she won the 20-metre sprint and finished in the top ten of the yo-yo run, vertical jump, running vertical jump and the 2km time trial.
Since being selected with the 43rd pick of the 2017 NAB AFL Women’s Draft, Smyth has slowly settled into life as a GIANT.
“Coming from Nelson Bay and only playing for three years I felt like a bit of a rookie,” she said.
“I still feel like a bit of a rookie and I’ve got a lot to learn.
“It’s totally different, it’s a lot more physical in AFLW and the skills are incredible.
“So being able to play is a great opportunity and hopefully I can do well.”
Smyth’s steep learning curve has been assisted by champion ruckman Shane Mumford. The GIANTS’ ruck coach often uses his breaks or stays at the club longer to help Smyth refine her craft.
“He’s always got time for me every Monday, so he and Al (GIANTS AFLW coach Alan McConnell) help me work on the physical side of rucking; jumping against a player and body on body contact,” she said.
“It’s clearly helped me so hopefully it all goes well this weekend.”
Making your debut against the reigning premiers would make most players nervous but for Smyth, it’s not the case. Smyth will be feeling right at home against the Crows especially when she comes up against a familiar face.
“One of the girls from Adelaide, Rhiannon Metcalfe, is originally from Nelson Bay,” she said.
“She actually sent me a message at the start of the season encouraging me and wishing me luck and saying, ‘hopefully you’ll be playing by the time it gets to round four’ so that was really nice of her.
“I’m so excited, it’s the perfect game to start with as it’s a home game so I’ll have all my family and friends coming to watch.”
The GIANTS play Adelaide on Sunday, February 25 at Blacktown International SportsPark at 4:35pm. Entry is FREE, gates open at 3:00pm.
