GIANTS midfielder Renee Forth has ticked off the biggest milestone of her AFL Women's career before hopefully going one better as the AFLW season kicks off this weekend.
Forth, one of the GIANTS’ two marquee signings in late 2016, got through her first game back from the knee reconstruction that ruled her out of the inaugural NAB AFLW season in a practice match a week ago.
The veteran West Australian, who turned 31 on Sunday, spent last season in a coaching role with her new team.
She admitted to some pre-game nerves in the lead-up to last week's practice match against the Brisbane Lions in Sydney, but told AFL.com.au she couldn't be happier to get back on the field.
"I was a bit worried about how I'd go with the tempo, but I didn't think about the knee at all and it was great to get back out there," she said.
"Leading up to the game I was wondering if I'd be able to get back to a decent level to match it with the girls out there.
"Being my first game I didn't expect to jump straight back to how I was before I got injured, but I wanted to be good enough to slot into the side.
"I didn't stand out in a bad way and [coach] Al [McConnell] said he was happy with my game, so that's a good thing."
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New coach McConnell told AFL.com.au in December that his side would be looking to place more scoreboard pressure on opponents this season, and he would be thrilled with what he's seen so far.
The GIANTS kicked just 23 goals in their seven games last year, but booted 12 in a 50-point win against the last year's minor premiers when the two teams played five 15-minute terms on Saturday.
"Everyone has lifted this season and there was really good energy and vibe after the game," Forth said.
"Playing games with so many new players brings us closer together as a team because you get to go into battle together and try new [things].
"Without trial and error you can't get any better so we've looked over the footage and Al is really stoked with how we're going."
Forth made her name as an inside midfielder in Perth but played on a wing against the Lions in an unfamiliar role, and said she's noticed plenty of positives about McConnell's influence on his squad.
"We've got much more balance on the list this year," she said.
"The depth is a lot better and there's a much more even spread across the team, so if we get some injuries, girls won't have to play out of position to cover the losses."
The GIANTS play Melbourne at Casey Fields this Saturday in round one before returning home to take on Carlton at Drummoyne Oval in a Friday-night blockbuster on February 9.
