Originally formed in 2011 as the Auburn Tigers, the club made headlines across Australia as the first predominantly Muslim women's AFL team in Western Sydney.
They adopted the GIANTS’ name and colours at the start of 2014 and will play the UTS Shamrocks at Blacktown International Sportspark in the elimination final this Sunday.
After winning four games in their first three seasons, the Auburn GIANTS finished fifth in Division Two of the AFL Sydney Women’s competition after seven wins in the home and away season.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of this club. After four years to get to this point, it’s such an achievement for us,” said co-founder Amna Karra-Hassan.
“We’re the surprise team in the comp, no one really expected us to do as well as we’re doing. Even our own girls, this has been an incredible journey for them.”
The Auburn GIANTS go in as underdogs, with many of their key players on the sidelines with injury. “We go into finals all of us really excited for the milestone but also a little bit sad because so many of our core players are injured,” she said.
“This would mean so much to them, they’ll be there on the sidelines to support but of all years we make finals, we lose those people that have been with the club for years.
“We’re a very spirited club so hopefully we’ll keep our head up and give it everything we have.”
The team attribute much of their success this year to new coach Christian Kunde, who works in Albury as a doctor during the week before travelling from his home on the Central Coast for all their games.
He is the first coach the team’s ever had and makes sure he stays in touch during the week, sending the players videos and feedback via Facebook.
“Christian has played a huge role in making us a team, creating a link and connection between the players and having someone believe in you and know you are capable,” Karra-Hassan said.
“I think that’s what turned our club around this year, that’s what made Auburn go from a losing side to a side that can compete and win.”
Sunday’s final promises to be big one. “We have a really good relationship with the Shamrocks, every year we play them for the Unity Cup,” she said.
“They’re the other most multicultural team so it’s kind of like our connection. They beat us by two goals last time and it was such a close game so we look forward to playing them again.
Although their first final is a huge milestone for the club, it has big plans for the future.
“It doesn’t matter whether we get eliminated or we make it through this year, the goal next year is the Grand Final.”
