Women's Footy AFLW 2022 - Alyce Parker named in AA Squad

Nov 23, 2015
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GWS Giants

Playing list:
Nicola Barr, Rebecca Beeson, Madison Brazendale, Tess Cattle, Ally Dallaway, Chloe Dalton, Fleur Davies, Jessica Doyle, Alicia Eva, Tarni Evans, Georgina Fowler, Meghan Gaffney, Georgia Garnett, Zarlie Goldsworthy, Jasmine Grierson, Zara Hamilton, Tanya Hetherington, Jodie Hicks, Annalyse Lister, Tait Mackrill, Cambridge McCormick, Brodee Mowbray, Alyce Parker, Emily Pease, Pepa Randall, Casidhe Simmons, Katherine Smith, Brid Stack, Cora Staunton, Haneen Zreika

Inactive: Jessica Allan (work commitments), Emily Goodsir (maternity leave), Isabel Huntington (knee), Isadora McLeay (knee)
 
Nov 23, 2015
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GWS

The jumper numbers for eight new GIANTS – and one previous GIANT – have been revealed.

As the countdown to season seven of the NAB AFLW season heats up, nine new GIANTS have received their jumper numbers with the reveals paying tribute to past players who have built the foundations of the GIANTS over their opening six seasons.

Number 7 – Zarlie Goldsworthy

Previous: Jessica Dal Pos, Katie Loynes

The club’s first pick in the most recent draft, Zarlie Goldsworthy hails from Albury and transitioned to AFL following a successful soccer career and being part of the junior Matildas. She’s an athletic and powerful midfielder who will wear number 7 for the GIANTS in 2022. She follows in the footsteps of inaugural GIANT and Gabrielle Trainor Medalist Jessica Dal Pos and former Carlton co-captain Katie Loynes.

Number 12 – Isabel Huntington

Previous: Louise Stephenson

Former Western Bulldogs Star, Isabel Huntington, will call GIANTS home for season seven and take over the number 12 jumper from inaugural GIANT Louise Stephenson. Huntington will be inactive in season seven as she recovers from an ACL injury but the former number one draft pick comes with 20 games of AFLW experience under her belt. The 23-year-old had a career-best season in 2020 winning the Bulldogs Best and Fairest, the AFLW Rising Star Award and achieving All-Australian selection.

Number 20 – Fleur Davies

Previous: Alex Williams, Lisa Steane

Gold Coast ruck Fleur Davies was the GIANTS’ second pick in the draft. Davies is a tall utility who is strong in the air but can also compete on the ground. One of four girls, Fleur is the second family member to sign with an AFLW side, with older sister Giselle already on the Suns’ list for season seven. She takes over the number 20 jumper from inaugural GIANT Alex Williams and most recently, mature-age product Lisa Steane.

Number 22 – Meghan Gaffney

Previous: Jessica Bibby, Elle Bennetts, Ally Morphett

Tasmanian product Meghan Gaffney will wear number 22 in ‘22. She is a hard-running midfielder who cracks in and owns the wing role. Though she might be small in stature she packs a punch and is able to rack the ball up around the ground. She’s the fourth player to own the number 22, following in the footsteps of former professional basketballer Jessica Bibby, cross-code netball star Elle Bennetts and ruck Ally Morphett.

Number 23 – Madison Brazendale

Previous: Erin McKinnon

The second Tasmanian to be drafted to the GIANTS for season seven, Madison Brazendale is relatively new to the game. Her junior sporting background is in the field of athletics and the national 400m hurdler is a readymade talent. Brazendale is just the second GIANT to wear number 23, taking over from inaugural GIANT and ruck Erin McKinnon.

Number 25 – Cambridge McCormick

Previous: Maddie Boyd, Ingrid Nielsen, Erin Lorenzini

Canberra ruck Cambridge McCormick will take on the number 25 jumper for season seven. Originally from Queensland, McCormick has spent the past two seasons playing in the AFL NSW/ACT Women’s competition with the Eastlake Demons. Familiar with the AFLW environment, the 23-year-old was a train on with the Brisbane Lions during the inaugural season. She follows in the footsteps of inaugural GIANT Maddie Boyd, fellow ruck Ingrid Nielsen and professional basketballer Erin Lorenzini.

Number 29 – Jodie Hicks

Jodie Hicks has returned to the GIANTS for season seven with pick 82 in the draft. Familiar to both the elite level and the GIANTS, Hicks returns to AFLW following a year away from the game. After spending the past season playing and coaching with Macquarie University, Hicks is refreshed and ready to give football a second chance. After previously wearing number 5 for her 20 games from 2018-2021, Hicks will take over 29 – becoming the first GIANT to wear the number in the AFLW.

Number 35 – Zara Hamilton

Rated as a first-round talent, the GIANTS were thrilled to secure Zara Hamilton – from the Riverina – as an undrafted free agent. A versatile player, Hamilton is comfortable on the wing or as an inside midfielder and can even roll up forward when required. She covers the ground really well, finds a lot of the footy and has a powerful boot intoattack. Hamilton will take on the number 35 jumper, which has yet to be worn in the GIANTS’ history.

Number 40 – Tess Cattle

GIANTS Academy product Tess Cattle will take on the number 40 jumper, becoming the first GIANT to do so. She was selected with pick 86 in the draft and drafted from the Ainslie Football Club in Canberra. Cattle is a tough inside midfield prospect who thrives on the contested ball, but also uses it well by foot.

AFLW season seven begins in late August with the GIANTS’ first home game on September 5.
 
Nov 23, 2015
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The GIANTS won't just have a new coach at the helm in the upcoming NAB AFLW season, there'll be a whole new gameplan on show, too.

The club parted ways with coach Alan McConnell (who had held the reins since 2018) and brought in Cam Bernasconi, while they have also introduced nine fresh faces to the squad, one of which is returning player Jodie Hicks. "Cam's hit the ground running. It's been a lot of building on the foundations Al McConnell had already built within the squad we had, but it's been with Cam's little flavour in it," GIANTS skipper Alicia Eva told womens.afl. "He's very strengths-based, he's a young coach, he likes everyone to bring their own flair and personality. I think that's what we're very much seeing. We've got a great cohort of the old mix but having some fresh faces in there has been fantastic."

Eva wasn't beating around the bush when discussing where the GIANTS need to improve to make the jump back up into finals, with 40-year-old spearhead Cora Staunton having kicked 41 per cent of the team's goals last season. The GIANTS have always relied on Staunton (having sat around 30 per cent for the 2020 and 2021 seasons), but never to the extent that 2022 produced. "We need to score more. We're not afraid to put that out into the world, we don't kick enough goals, we rely on pretty much Cora to kick our goals," Eva said.

Eva herself could be set for a slightly different role, with the likes of draftee Zarlie Goldsworthy and a fully fit Bec Beeson and Chloe Dalton set to line up alongside Alyce Parker in the middle. "We’re looking quite different right across the park, quite versatile, and it'll allow some older players like myself to see how we go in different roles. Who knows, maybe [I'll play] a bit of inside, outside and forward," she said.
 
Nov 23, 2015
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Outs:​

After five seasons with the GIANTS, Rebecca Privitelli requested a trade to the Swans for season seven.

Louise Stephenson – who also played in defence in her time at the club - returned home to Victoria to join the inaugural Hawthorn AFLW team.

Ins:

Versatile GIANT Haneen Zreika will be welcomed back permanently to the forward line in season seven after playing mainly midfield and defence last season. Zreika is an attacking weapon with selflessness that can’t be taken for granted.

Former defender Georgia Garnett also makes a move into the forward line in season seven. Garnett played forward as a junior and has hit the ground running as a main target, replacing the departed Rebecca Privitelli.

Adding to the forward group is 19-year-old Tasmania Megan Gaffney, who was drafted at pick number 66 by the GIANTS in 2022. She is a natural ball hunter whose weapon is her speed.

The number one draft pick in 2018, Isabel Huntington arrived at the GIANTS ahead of season seven after a trade was facilitated with the Western Bulldogs. Following a knee reconstruction, Huntington will return to the field in season eight, but in the interim will provide a wealth of knowledge to a young and dynamic forward line.

Unchanged:​

Recipient of both leading goal kicker and Jacinda Barclay Fearless awards earlier in 2022, Cora Staunton returns to the GIANTS primed to continue her dominance in front of goals. Staunton kicked 18 goals in 10 games last season for 47 goals in her 40 games.

Nicola Barr’s cameo appearances in the forward line in season six were a tremendous success with the inaugural GIANT kicking five goals across the season – her first goals since debuting in 2017. Barr will face a delayed start to the season after managing a knee injury but will look to make a big impact on her return.

Young star Jess Doyle kicked five goals from six games in her debut AFLW season in 2022 and is an exciting threat with a year of AFLW football already under her belt. Doyle will look to exceed her goal kicking tally as she grows into her second year in the competition.

Georgie Fowler has an inherent ability to evade defenders and find the goals. After one game in her first season in early 2022, she enters season seven stronger and more confident in her ability following an impressive Winter Series campaign with the GIANTS.

The forward 50 pressure of Brodee Mowbray is unmatched and is something the club is looking forward to in season seven. After two games in her debut season, Mowbray has worked incredibly hard in the off-season to become another consistent marking target option in the forward line.

Former heptathlete Casidhe Simmons brings an x-factor to the group with her natural speed and athletic ability. New to the game, but a mature athlete, Simmons is looking to add to the two games she played in her debut season in early 2022.
 
Nov 23, 2015
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Recognised as one of the finest leaders in the game, Alicia Eva will continue as the GIANTS’ AFLW captain for season seven of the competition.

This will be the fourth season at the helm for the 31-year-old, who finished runner up in the Gabrielle Trainor Medal last season.

Eva will be supported by three-time Gabrielle Trainor Medallist, Alyce Parker, who has been elevated to vice-captain. After joining the leadership group last season, 21-year-old Parker continued to show why she’s one of the premier midfielders in the competition as she won her third straight club champion award in just four seasons in the AFLW.

Inaugural GIANT Nicola Barr, fierce defender Pepa Randall and cross-code star Chloe Dalton round out the leadership team, with veteran Cora Staunton stepping down after three years in the group.
 
Nov 23, 2015
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Outs:​

Inaugural GIANT Erin McKinnon and young ruck Ally Morphett both departed in the off-season, to the Saints and Swans respectively.

Former Carlton captain Katie Loynes retired after a season on the GIANTS’ list while Haneen Zreika has moved into the forward line for season seven.

Ins:

Still only 22, Tait Mackrill has played as a forward for the majority of her 20 AFLW games across the past four seasons. Coming into season seven, Mackrill has made the move to the midfield where she’s impressed with her strength on the inside as well as her kicking skills, which she’s always been known for.

New ruck pairing Fleur Davies and Cambridge McCormick have impressed in their first season on the list after being picked up in the most recent draft. Davies is an Under-18 All Australian ruck who has made the move from the Gold Coast while McCormick has been plying her trade in the Canberra competition.

The club’s first pick in the draft, Zarlie Goldsworthy, has also spent time in the midfield group across pre-season and has immediately impressed - she is also expected to spend time forward this season.

Fellow Riverina product Zara Hamilton and Tasmanian recruit Madison Brazendale have also joined the midfield group and shown their wares in wing and midfield roles across the pre-season.

Unchanged:​

Skipper Alicia Eva might be 31 but she finished runner up in the Gabrielle Trainor Medal last season and has shown she has plenty more to offer on the field. The introduction of some new faces to the midfield may allow her to use her run and carry more on the wing.

21-year-old Alyce Parker will continue to lead the midfield group after a season where she won her third straight club champion award in just four seasons. A star of the competition who will only get better as she continues to develop her game.

2019 Gabrielle Trainor Medallist Rebecca Beeson is looking to remind everyone of her capabilities after struggling with injury last season. A fully-fit Beeson is a formidable asset to the midfield group.

Star recruit Chloe Dalton is another whose last season was interrupted with injury. In her four games in season six she showed why the GIANTS were so pleased to add her to the side, with her sizzling speed hard to stop.

Ally Dallaway was a breakout player in season six. Only added to the list weeks before the season as a replacement player, the 23-year-old slotted in seamlessly and has another full pre-season under her belt.

Another who impressed in season six was youngster Emily Pease who broke through for her AFLW debut in round two before playing every game for the rest of the season and impressing with her work rate. She’s taken another step in her game this off-season.

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A midfield of Parker, Eva, Beeson and Dalton could be a formidable sight in season seven. After injury interrupted the quartet playing any significant football together last season, this is the year GIANTS fans will be hoping to regularly see these combinations in action. They’ll be ably supported by top draftees Goldsworthy, Hamilton and Brazendale as well as young stars Dallaway and Pease. Don’t forget Mackrill in her new role, who’s now had four seasons under her belt and is improving every single season.

It’s a new ruck duo at the GIANTS in season seven but the pair have already impressed. Davies and McCormick have formed a great partnership already and while both incredibly athletic, they offer different attributes in the ruck. Davies is just 18 but is ready for the AFLW after working with Shane Mumford on her physicality and strength. McCormick has experience and athleticism to compete all around the ground.

It’s easy to forget Alyce Parker is still only 21 years old. Wise beyond her years, Parker expects the most out of herself at every opportunity. Coming into her fifth season, Parker has won three straight Gabrielle Trainor Medals and across her career averages more than 20 disposals and four tackles a game. A star of the competition already, she continues to work hard to make sure she leaves no stone unturned to become the best player she can be. Elevated to vice-captain for season seven, expect to see Parker take her on-field leadership to a new level this season.

The GIANTS’ top draftee in the most recent draft, Zarlie Goldsworthy has impressed since arriving at the club. Still finishing school in Albury, Goldsworthy has already shown her athleticism and power through the midfield, while also being able to go forward. She kicked three goals in one of the team’s intra-club matches.
 
Nov 23, 2015
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The match will be live streamed via the GIANTS website and womens.afl.

Squad:

2 Alicia Eva
3 Alyce Parker
4 Katherine Smith
6 Rebecca Beeson
7 Zarlie Goldsworthy
9 Tanya Hetherington
10 Jasmine Grierson
11 Chloe Dalton
13 Cora Staunton
14 Annalyse Lister
15 Brid Stack
17 Georgia Garnett
18 Tarni Evans
20 Fleur Davies
21 Pepa Randall
23 Madison Brazendale
24 Haneen Zreika
25 Carmbirdge McCormick
26 Georgie Fowler
28 Casidhe Simmons
29 Jodie Hicks
30 Ally Dallaway
31 Brodee Mowbray
32 Tait Mackrill
 
Nov 23, 2015
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17,072
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GWS
Final playing list for season 7, according to: Your club's list for AFLW season seven

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Playing list: Nicola Barr, Rebecca Beeson, Madison Brazendale, Tess Cattle, Ally Dallaway, Chloe Dalton, Fleur Davies, Jessica Doyle, Alicia Eva, Tarni Evans, Georgina Fowler, Meghan Gaffney, Georgia Garnett, Zarlie Goldsworthy, Jasmine Grierson, Zara Hamilton, Tanya Hetherington, Jodie Hicks, Annalyse Lister, Tait Mackrill, Cambridge McCormick, Brodee Mowbray, Alyce Parker, Emily Pease, Pepa Randall, Casidhe Simmons, Katherine Smith, Brid Stack, Cora Staunton, Haneen Zreika

Inactive: Jessica Allan (work commitments), Emily Goodsir (maternity leave), Isabel Huntington (knee), Isadora McLeay (knee)
 
Nov 23, 2015
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GWS

The GIANTS kicked a goal in the final minute of the game against the Western Bulldogs to win their AFLW Practice match at VU Whitten Oval.

Always in it but never holding the lead, an inside-50 late in the fourth quarter proved the decider as Haneen Zreika chased down the loose ball and scored her second goal of the day. The GIANTS looked hungry for the ball from the get-go but struggled to capitalise and convert in the opening term, with the Dogs holding an 18-point lead at the first break.

It was young recruit Zarlie Goldsworthy who got the GIANTS on the board early in the second, but unfortunately soon after the 17-year-old was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Cora Staunton found her rhythm in the second quarter, contributing two goals alongside a major from Georgia Garnett to have the GIANTS trailing by just six points at the main break.

Chloe Dalton and Georgie Fowler joined the fun in the forward line in the third, but it was an even affair as the two teams remained separated by six points at three-quarter time. Accurate kicking and a revised game plan saw the GIANTS finish on the right side of a hard-fought game of footy.

“It was a really positive day for the girls,” said new head coach Cam Bernasconi. Staunton (two goals), Zreika (two), Goldsworthy, Garnett, Dalton and Fowler (one each) all contributed as the GIANTS were the more accurate side at VU Whitten Oval. “We’ve kicked 10 goals in an intra club, seven goals last week and eight goals today so it’s [accuracy] starting to become a bit of a trend for us and that’s off the back of players doing the work,” Bernasconi said.

Bernasconi described the win as a team effort, but said he was pleased with the return of Tarni Evans. “She had a interrupted season six, so it was great have her back and play out four quarters. I thought she was so important and how we moved the footy," he said.
 
Nov 23, 2015
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AFL.COM write up from the match:

Western Bulldogs v GWS at Whitten Oval

Amidst construction at Whitten Oval, GWS won a nail-biter against the Western Bulldogs thanks to a late Haneen Zreika goal. The Giants got over the line by one point 8.3 (51) to 7.8 (50).

Bulldog (and ex-Giant) Elle Bennetts unfortunately left the field in the first quarter and failed to return as she nursed a shoulder/collarbone injury from a tough contest. It was a similar story for GWS draftee Zarlie Goldsworthy who kicked her side's first goal but spent the rest of the game on the sidelines after copping a bump to her right shoulder.

The Giants have been focused on sharing the load in attack, conscious of their reliance on Cora Staunton since she joined the competition. They showed glimpses of that, goaling through Staunton (2), Haneen Zreika (2), Georgia Garnett, Goldsworthy, Chloe Dalton and Georgina Fowler.

Tait Mackrill's movement into the midfield has also released players like Alicia Eva and Dalton to use their run on the outside, which proved key in the genuine attacking mindset they put on show.
 
Nov 23, 2015
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Outs:

Inaugural GIANT Louise Stephenson made the decision to return home to Victoria and join expansion side Hawthorn.

Libby Graham requested a trade to Richmond in the off-season, while former elite basketballer Erin Lorenzini chose to hang up the boots.

2021 Rising Star, Georgia Garnett, will spend season seven in the forward line for the GIANTS.

Ins:​

In her third season in the orange and charcoal Katherine Smith has found home in the backline. After playing a range of roles in season six, including kicking two goals, Smith will play predominantly down back in season seven. Smith has worked really hard during the pre-season on her one-on-one contest and is ready to take her game to the next level.

After taking a season off, Jodie Hicks returns to the game but is taking on a new role in the GIANTS’ backline. The 25-year-old and former dual athlete enhances the new game plan with her speed, pristine kicking and footy smarts.

GIANTS Academy Product Tess Cattle is an exciting young addition to the backline. After a delayed start to her pre-season, Cattle has the fundamentals to continue to improve her game.

Unchanged:

A stalwart of the GIANTS’ backline, Tanya Hetherington, is a player you can always rely on. Playing as a key back since joining the GIANTS in 2018, the former leadership group member is trustworthy and renowned for winning her one-on-ones.

After four matches in her first season as a GIANT, Jasmine Grierson has had an impressive pre-season, taking her game to a new level. Naturally playing as a spoiling defender, the 36-gamer has been working on her marking craft in order to play as an intercepting defender.

Another reliable defender, Pepa Randall is one of the fiercest in the game. A notable leader of not only the backline but the team, Randall’s leadership has come a long way. Often tasked with the key-forwards, Randall always gets the job done.

Annalyse Lister has battled with some injuries throughout pre-season but is hitting her straps as the season approaches. She’s a really strong first phase defender and is a consistent ball getter with clean hands.

Still considered new to the game, Brid Stack’s growth, development and impact on the team has been huge. Often playing high as an offensive defender, her speed allows her to create a lot of opportunities.

A young utility with a lot of potential, Tarni Evans will form part of the GIANTS’ backline in season seven. Athletic, smart and with an unbelievable kick, it is going to be exciting to see what a fit Evans can achieve this season.

Nine months post-op from an ACL injury, Isadora McLeay is working really hard in her rehab. As a player she’s smart, athletic and has a strong mark and the team are looking forward to her progressing into team drills as she continues to work through her rehab this season.

State of Play:​

With the new game plan, it has probably been the biggest adjustment for the backs, going from a more defensive focus to a more offensive focus. They’ve had to adjust but they’re coming together well and building off the idea of being connected as a unit rather than being one-on-one or an individual. The match simulation and practice match in the lead-up to the season have shown a glimpse into the way they’re trying to play.

Ones to Watch:​

After an injury disrupted start to her AFLW career, Tarni Evans is one to keep an eye on this season. With just nine games to her name, the former endurance athlete is in impressive form to continue her growth and impact on the game.

Returning refreshed and in a new role, Jodie Hicks has been flagged as another player to watch in the GIANTS’ backline. A standout in both the winter series and pre-season, Hicks looks like she hasn’t missed a beat.
 
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