Women's Footy AFLW Giants 2026

[Giant Strides]

one question are we ignoring small forwards cause besides Pauga (she doesnt play like one) and maybe Goldsworthy (more mid than forward) we dont have any small forwards

Well, Jess Doyle, Alicia Eva, and Brodee Mowbray were the ones we used forward last year (alongside Georgia Garnett, Tarni Evans & Zarlie Goldsworthy as medium/tall forwards). You can argue about the quality, but that's who we used.

 

[Giant Strides]

Who did your club choose? Every pick from the AFLW Pre-Season Draft

Eleven new players have joined the AFLW competition. Gemma Bastiani takes a look at what they can bring to your club

www.afl.com.au

2. Greater Western Sydney: ​

A tall forward/ruck option, 185cm Maisy Evans can also acquit herself through the midfield when required. She was a train-on player with Gold Coast last year, and won the 2024 Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholarship. With a background in rugby sevens and school footy in Melbourne, she has built her footy base while playing for Bond University in the QAFLW.

The key details:

Name: Maisy Evans
State: Queensland
Drafted from: Bond University
Position: Ruck
Height: 185cm
Date of Birth: 30/1/2006

Bio: A 185cm, versatile ruck who can perform at both the centre square and as a tall target inside 50. Evans’ background in both rugby and netball gives her an athletic foundation and a strong pressure game. Starring with more time on the ball for Bond University to commence the 2026 QAFLW season, Evans has averaged 25.7 disposals, 27.7 hit-outs and eight tackles to start the year and is touted as a big improver, having developed her skills outside the Victorian talent pathway.

10. Greater Western Sydney: ​

After improving on her kicking in recent months, former Giants Academy product Sophia Gaukrodger has been added to the Giants' midfield stocks. Willing to bring the physicality through the middle of the ground, while also adept at playing at either end of the ground, and boasting a good tank, she offers some depth to the side.

The key details:

Name: Sophia Gaukrodger
State: New South Wales
Drafted from: GWS GIANTS Academy | UTS Bats
Position: Inside Mid / Medium Forward
Height: 172cm
Date of Birth: 16/1/2007

Bio: A Sydney junior and GIANTS’ Academy talent, Gaukrodger adds depth as an inside midfielder who can also perform in the forward line. Hailing from the UTS Bats after developing her skills as an Iner West Magpies junior, Gaukrodger has been a significant improver over the last 12 months and particularly across the first quarter of 2026 under new Academy coach- and now GIANTS teammate- Alicia Eva. Registering an average of 23.3 disposals, 4 marks and 8 tackles in her start to the 2026 Talent League, Gaukrodger has flourished in her move to the midfield, while still posing a threat in front of goal, averaging one major a game for the Academy.



Welcome ladies, I hope that you do well at the Giants.

 

[MelbourneGWS]

A new AFLW sponsorship agreement - now both the men and women will have New Balance and Belgravia as common sponsors.

The GIANTS are excited to announce that New Balance and Belgravia Sports Apparel have expanded their partnership with the club, becoming the Official On-Field Apparel Partner of the GIANTS AFLW program, while also extending their support to the next generation of AFL stars through the GIANTS Academy.

This announcement forms part of a league-wide on-field AFLW apparel transition and builds on the long-term relationship launched in November last year when the GIANTS’ AFL side entered a new five-year partnership with New Balance and Belgravia Sports Apparel.

With this expansion, New Balance is now aligned across the entire club - from the elite men’s and women’s programs to the next generation of GIANTS stars through the GIANTS Academy pathway.

GIANTS Announce Exciting New Partnership

The GIANTS are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

 

[Joshawk23]

New Numbers Through insta Stories
Poppy Boltz 21
Scarlett Johnson 16
Either Janseck or Evans 29 (its someone tall)

 

[Giant Strides]

Young Gun Yerbury Blitzes GIANT Mile

Draftee Kiera Yerbury set the standard for 2026 with a blitzing time in the GIANT Mile on day one of the AFLW pre-season.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

Draftee Kiera Yerbury set the standard for 2026 with a blitzing time in the GIANT Mile on day one of the AFLW pre-season.

16 players recorded personal bests, with Yerbury headlining a host of fresh faces, including pre-season draftee Sophia Gaukrodger and high-profile recruit Tilly Lucas-Rodd who also finishing in the top ten.

The time trial marks the commencement of the official AFLW pre-season, a two-month block of high performance and conditioning training leading into the 2026 season.

GIANT Mile Top 10

Kiera Yerbury

Madison Brazendale

Alicia Eva

Eilish O’Dowd

Sophia Gaukrodger

Bec Beeson

Tilly Lucas-Rodd

Eleanor Brown

Daisy Walker

Cambridge McCormick

 

[Joshawk23]

Yerbury Takes Kath Smiths old Number 4

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Bec Beeson is our captain again - not that I think there was any doubt.

Beeson to Lead GIANTS in Season 2026

Star midfielder Bec Beeson will again take the helm as GIANTS’ captain for the 2026 AFLW season, marking her third in the role.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

 

[captainMyCaptain]