Phoebe McWilliams, the GIANTS’ first goal kicker in AFL Women’s history, has been blown away by the support for the new competition.
Over 50,000 people flocked to watch the opening round of the competition, including 9,250 people who gathered to watch the GIANTS’ match against Adelaide at Thebarton Oval.
31-year-old McWilliams, who joined the GIANTS from Victorian club the St Kilda Sharks as a priority player, said the crowd was phenomenal.
“We knew it was going to be big but then when we saw that the Carlton Collingwood game was a lockout; I think that sort of gave us all goosebumps,” she said after Saturday’s game.
“Then to get to the game on the bus and there was a big queue of people out the front, and we’re like gosh they’re all here to see us.”
While the interest shown by the general public exceeded administrators' expectations, the efforts made by the family and friends of the GIANTS players to be there on the history-making day didn’t go unnoticed.
“Mum and Dad came over and I had 10 friends come over from Victoria,” McWilliams said.
“Two just woke up this morning and decided to drive over, so I’m really lucky to have so many supporters from Victoria and it’s good to have the people from New South Wales as well.”
The crowd at Thebarton Oval on Saturday were treated to an entertaining and physical encounter between two sides that had been waiting anxiously for round one.
Despite a positive start by the GIANTS, the Crows ran out winners by 36-points.
“We’d been training for it for two and a half months and we finally get out and get to play,” McWillaims said.
“It wasn’t the result that we wanted but the girls tried really hard and I’m sure we’ll learn a lot from that game and move forward.
“It was a wet day so the ball was on the ground a lot and there were lots of hard tackles but we will learn a lot.
“Yes it’s a loss and it’s something we probably should have done a little better and been a bit closer but you can’t dwell on it you’ve just got to use your experience.”
The GIANTS now head toMelbourne to take on Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon.
McWilliams said she’s excited to be playing against the Blues and some familiar faces.
“I’ll play on a couple of my teammates from my local club, it’ll be nice to see them and interesting to play against them,” she said.
“Carlton showed they’re a good side and we’ll really have to improve a lot over the next wee
