The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS are winless in the NAB AFL Women's competition, but believe they are learning plenty from their experiences.
The GIANTS are sixth on the ladder after a draw with Fremantle last Saturday, the first deadlocked match in the AFLW.
About 4000 fans packed into Blacktown International Sportspark to watch the GIANTS play their first home game of the season, with one section of the crowd kitted out in fridge costumes in support of captain and western Sydney local Amanda 'Fridge' Farrugia.
Although the GIANTS split the points with Fremantle, coach Tim Schmidt said the game provided another series of key lessons for his team.
"There were definitely some positives that came out of it, and there were definitely some frustrating parts as well," Schmidt said.
The GIANTS were seen as underdogs before the season began. Nineteen of the squad was selected from the AFL Sydney and Canberra competitions, which are not considered as strong as state league competitions around the country.
The squad features quality players from outside NSW and the ACT, including West Australians Emma Swanson and the injured Renee Forth (marquee players) and Victorians Phoebe McWilliams, Louise Stephenson and Jessica Dal Pos (priority selections).
Although they're yet to sing the club song, the GIANTS have steadily improved each week, adapting to the tempo and style of the new competition. The effort against the Dockers was arguably their best in three outings.
After a 36-point loss to Adelaide in the first round, Schmidt said the team needed to get better at taking its opportunities, having missed several shots at goal in the first quarter. The GIANTS regularly turned the ball over, and finished with just one goal and 46 per cent disposal efficiency for the game.
A week later, the GIANTS improved their disposal dramatically and looked dangerous going forward, but lapses in concentration late in quarters left the door open for Carlton, which ran out 13-point winners.
After the game against the Blues, Schmidt said the development of his team was more important than results.
"We've got things to work on as individuals and as a group and those are [what] we're going to focus on," Schmidt said.
"If that means we lose every game but we continue to improve as individuals and a team, then that's a win.
"Obviously we’re going out there to win, but the bigger picture is what we're focusing on."
Going into their first home game, the GIANTS had confidence from their improved performance against Carlton and a vocal crowd behind them.
But it didn't go all to plan. Fremantle had the ascendency in the first quarter, gathering uncontested possessions at will and giving its new forward line multiple chances to get ahead.
Trailing by nine points and yet to score at quarter-time, Schmidt called for the GIANTS to work on not allowing the Dockers to move the ball freely. From the second quarter onwards, the GIANTS lifted their intensity and were able to work themselves back into the game.
Forward Jacinda Barclay looked lively, taking several marks in the forward half, while marquee player Swanson was influential in the midfield in her first game of the season.
But what would please Schmidt the most was the fact the team learned from its mistakes in the first two rounds.
Although wasteful in the first half, the GIANTS took their chances when it mattered, with Aimee Schmidt kicking a set-shot goal from 25 metres to level the scores with three minutes remaining.
Importantly, instead of a late fadeout, they defended well when the Dockers were trying hard to score in the last two minutes.
Three weeks in, the GIANTS have only two points to show for their efforts, but are slowly starting to player better team football.
"It's a real learning exercise for the girls," Schmidt said.
The GIANTS' AFLW team's next home game is part of a huge double-header at Blacktown International Sportspark from 5pm on Friday, March 3. GIANTS members (with game access) and AFLW members receive free entry to both games - subject to capacity - or click here to get tickets.
