Star recruit Katherine Smith will make her long-awaited return to the game when she debuts for the GIANTS on Saturday.
The former Demon suffered an ACL injury in December 2019 and hasn’t been on the field since.
After missing the 2020 season, the 22-year-old defender joined the GIANTS during the 2020 trade period.
Debuting in the league’s inaugural season in 2017, Smith has 21 career games to her name and will add experience to the GIANTS’ outfit.
Smith is the only change to the GIANTS’ winning line up, replacing experienced defender Tanya Hetherington who has been ruled out of with an ankle injury.
Hetherington is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after injuring her ankle in the first quarter of last week’s match.
Saturday’s match will mark the first time the GIANTS have played in Victoria since round four, 2019.
Be sure to tune in to Foxtel, Kayo, AFLW Online site, AFL Telstra TV App, AFLW or AFL Official Apps. All GIANTS matches are also broadcast live into NSW and the ACT free-to-air on 7mate.
Round 5
Western Bulldogs v GIANTS
Saturday, February 27 at 3:10pm
VU Whitten Oval
FB: Pepa Randall, Katherine Smith
HB: Tarni Evans, Georgia Garnett, Annalyse Lister
C: Elle Bennetts, Britt Tully, Alicia Eva
HF: Tait Mackrill, Jessica Dal Pos, Haneen Zreika
FF: Cora Staunton, Rebecca Privitelli
RR: Erin McKinnon, Alyce Parker, Rebecca Beeson
Interchange: Louise Stephenson, Jessica Allan, Emily Goodsir, Nicola Barr, Taylah Davies
In: Katherine Smith
Out: Tanya Hetherington (injured)
Emergencies: Lisa Steane, Aimee Schmidt
