Vice-captain and marquee player Emma Swanson will make her AFL Women’s debut provided she gets through a pre-match fitness test.
Swanson has been included in the 22-player squad but will need to prove her fitness at the club’s final training session after a minor hamstring strain kept her out of the GIANTS’ first two matches.
The 21-year-old West Australian would be a huge inclusion for the winless GIANTS who take on Fremantle in their first home game at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.
Swanson brings a wealth of experience to the side, having won four best and fairest awards playing for East Fremantle in the WAWFL.
Also named in the team is young forward Kate Stanton who was a late withdrawal from last week’s side with illness.
18-year-old Stanton was pick 33 in the NAB AFL Women’s Draft and hails from Wollongong on the south coast of Sydney.
Stanton kicked 12 goals at the National Youth Girls Championships last year, leading her team to a Grand Final victory and earning herself selection in the All Star team.
Victorian defender Alex Saundry and Canberra local Hannah Wallett, who was a late inclusion last week, have both been omitted from the team.
The GIANTS take on Fremantle, who are also yet to win a game, at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday at 12:05pm with free entry and free car parking.
Round Three
GWS GIANTS v Fremantle
Saturday February 18
Blacktown International Sportspark
12:05pm
FB: Maddy Collier (14), Kristy De Pellegrini (9)
HB: Alex Williams (20), Renee Tomkins (1), Amanda Farrugia (18)
C: Nicola Barr (8), Ashleigh Guest (19), Emma Swanson (17)
R: Erin McKinnon (23), Jessica Dal Pos (7), Britt Tully (16)
HF: Rebecca Beeson (6), Phoebe McWilliams (3), Aimee Schmidt (11)
FF: Ellie Brush (10), Jacinda Barclay (34)
Interchange: Kate Stanton (33), Jessica Bibby (22), Clare Lawton (41), Ella Ross (15), Mai Nguyen (2), Stephanie Walker (5)
Emergencies: Alex Saundry, Codie Briggs
