Women's Footy AFLW Giants 2026

[captainMyCaptain]

A run down and a predicted best 21 for the 2026 season from afl.com

Your club's best 21: Who's in, who's out, who's new

Gemma Bastiani has compiled her predicted starting 21 for each team ahead of the 2026 season

www.afl.com.au

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Not surprised and expect her spot to be taken by Yerbury in the best 21.
But also have to say Smith was a real heart and soul player that gave her all.

 

[Joshawk23]

If kath was a tier 3 player, then watch them resign McCormick or someone else, cause you have to use 100% of the cap, as a replacement look for Amelie Prosser Shaw, Academy girl Played VFL last year for box hill 175cm, taller than kath but is athletic and a better shutdown defender

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Club champion and AFLW leader Alicia Eva continues her role as AFL Development Coach in 2026 while also taking on the exciting opportunity as the club’s new GIANTS Academy Female Head Coach

GIANTS 2026 Coaching Structure

The GIANTS have confirmed their AFL coaching structure for the 2026 season.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[Orangeutan]

Good development.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Zielke is nice pick up but would be even nicer if she was taking over as our new HC.

Three Exciting Additions to AFLW Coaching Group

The GIANTS are delighted to announce three exciting additions to their AFLW program.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

 

[Joshawk23]

So we let go of our Backline Coach(BrentChapman), Forward Coach(Jon Vlatko) and Ruck Coach(Rhiannon Metcalfe),but not the coach in charge of midfield

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Zielke is nice pick up but would be even nicer if she was taking over as our new HC.

Three Exciting Additions to AFLW Coaching Group

The GIANTS are delighted to announce three exciting additions to their AFLW program.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

So Mummy is doing this job as well as continuing to be the Rucks coach for the AFL team? I thought given the new rucks rules and the less than optimal performance by Briggs, he would have been too busy to undertake this role?

 

[Giant Strides]

So we let go of our Backline Coach(BrentChapman), Forward Coach(Jon Vlatko) and Ruck Coach(Rhiannon Metcalfe),but not the coach in charge of midfield

Ahh, genius management.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

So Mummy is doing this job as well as continuing to be the Rucks coach for the AFL team? I thought given the new rucks rules and the less than optimal performance by Briggs, he would have been too busy to undertake this role?

Mummy might have said Briggs is a lost cause, so what else have you got for me

 

[Giant Strides]

Exciting Young Duo Extend

The GIANTS are delighted to have secured the signatures of two of their brightest young talents.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

The GIANTS are delighted to have secured the signatures of two of their brightest young talents, with Sara Howley and Grace Martin both signing contract extensions.

Both taken in the first round of the 2024 AFLW Draft, the pair will remain in orange and charcoal through until at least the end of the 2027 NAB AFLW season after putting pen to paper on new one-year deals. The extensions come after impressive debut campaigns in 2025, with both Howley and Martin quickly establishing themselves as important contributors in Cam Bernasconi’s side.

Taken with pick number four in the 2024 AFLW Draft, Howley wasted little time showcasing why she was one of the most highly rated players in her draft class. A dynamic and highly skilled midfielder renowned for her speed, versatility and exceptional consistency, the young star was one of the standout ball winners in the 2024 draft pool. Also a back-to-back Under-18 All Australian and member of the Coates Talent League Team of the Year prior to joining the GIANTS, Howley combines her elite running ability with a high football IQ and a natural knack for finding the footy. The 20-year-old carried her under-18 form straight into her first AFLW season, playing all 12 games in 2025 to become a reliable performer in the GIANTS’ midfield.

Selected with the club’s second pick in the 2024 AFLW Draft, Martin also made an immediate impression in her first season at the GIANTS in 2025. Taken with pick 22, the South Australian joined the club as a powerful and versatile utility capable of impacting games across all three lines. Known for her fierce competitiveness, clean hands and sharp decision-making, the 19-year-old found her role across half-back in her maiden AFLW campaign where she quickly established herself as a dependable presence in defence. Also playing in all 12 games, Martin’s efforts saw her claim the GIANTS’ Rising Star Award for her outstanding debut season last year.

GIANTS Executive General Manager of AFLW, Alison Zell, said the club was thrilled to have both Howley and Martin recommit. “We’re really excited to have Sara and Grace extend their time at the club,” Zell said. “Both players came in last season and immediately showed they belong at AFLW level with the way they competed and the consistency they brought each week. Sara has already proven herself to be a dynamic midfielder with terrific running power and football smarts, while Grace’s versatility and competitiveness make her such a valuable player for our group. They’ve both embraced everything about the GIANTS since arriving and have fit seamlessly into the culture we’re building here. To have them commit to the club again so early in their careers is a great sign for the direction we’re heading and we’re excited to see how they continue to develop in the seasons ahead.”

The GIANTS will officially begin their 2026 AFLW pre-season in May, with the season set to kick off in mid-August.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Awesome to see mass incompetence be rewarded

 

[Joshawk23]

What does Alison see in Cam that we dont see cause what i see is besides him being a girls guy, hes a crap coach