Women's Footy VFLW Giants Thread

[Colonial]

Well we have more footy this year.

Rejoining the VFLW

 

[Colonial]

 

[Giant Strides]

The GIANTS’ return to the VFLW will feature 11 AFLW-listed players as the club takes part in the competition for the first time since 2019.

Up against the Blues at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon, the GIANTS’ VFLW team will be bolstered by several AFLW stars, with 2023 club champion Zarlie Goldsworthy and gun defender Tarni Evans headlining the side.

Also named to take on Carlton is prized draftee Kaitlyn Srhoj, with the number three pick from last year’s draft set to play her first official game in GIANTS colours following an impressive summer on the track. Named in the 2023 Under-18 All-Australian team and a part of the AFLW National Academy, the 18-year-old is a smooth-moving 175cm winger with the ability to also play as an inside midfielder.

Srhoj is one of four new AFLW recruits set for their first action in orange and charcoal on Saturday, with former Blue Daisy Walker, Brisbane AFLW premiership-player Mikayla Pauga and Irish recruit Eilish O’Dowd all named to take on the Blues. In addition to the 11 AFLW-listed players, the rest of Saturday’s VFLW side is comprised of five members of the GIANTS Academy and five VFLW train-on players.

The GIANTS and the Blues will clash at Ikon Park at 2pm on Saturday.

Click here for a preview of the GIANTS’ return to the VFLW this season.



The GIANTS will take part in the VFLW for the first time since 2019 when the club takes on Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday at 2pm.

In a change to the Rebel VFLW fixture for season 2024, both the GIANTS and the Swans have been added to the competition for part of the season, with each side to play five matches from rounds 3-7 against other VFLW clubs. The five matches will be played with premiership points on the line for the competing VFLW clubs.

The GIANTS’ VFLW squad is comprised of 26 members of the GIANTS’ AFLW playing list plus up to 15 train-on players from the GIANTS Female Academy as well as high-end talent from local community football. Ahead of the VFLW season opener, we sat down with GIANTS AFLW head coach Cam Bernasconi, who will drive the club’s VFLW program alongside his AFLW assistant coaches.

Entering his third season as head coach of the women’s program, Bernasconi says he’s taking the GIANTS’ inclusion in the VFLW as an exciting opportunity to better prepare his side for the AFLW season starting in September.

A HEAD START FOR THE AFLW SEASON

“Our focus is about building a strong foundation to set us up for [AFLW] season 2024,” Bernasconi said. “The way we are looking at it is that we get 20 quarters where we can play against opposition before the official AFLW pre-season. “That provides us a great opportunity to play our system, for players to learn new roles, and for players to bring their weapons and see where they are at earlier in the piece instead of waiting until August to see where they’re tracking. You get a bit of a stocktake in April of where everyone is at, so it’s really exciting. Overall, we look at it as an opportunity to have 20 quarters to play our way, learn our system, players to learn new roles and bring their weapons, and see the head start we can get. Usually when you come into pre-season you’re focusing on your methods and attack and defence, but before we even get into pre-season in June, we now get an opportunity to really get a strong foundation with our fundamentals and our basic skills. I think that’s a big improvement for us from last year,” he added.

“Our fundamentals let us down last year and then we couldn’t always execute our system from that, so that’s a big focus for us. Then on top of that there’s the physical component. We’ve got the youngest list in the AFLW, so we’ve got to really value our high-performance habits around the gym and nutrition. So that’s our big thing for VFLW, we get an opportunity to train our fundamentals and our physical component, and then hopefully we can see it in [AFLW] games faster.”

PERSONALISED PROGRAMS FOR AFLW GIRLS

With a squad of over 40 girls to pick from for the 21 spots each week, Bernasconi said he’ll look to balance the workload across his more senior players while aiming to give the younger players as much opportunity as possible to learn through genuine game repetitions.

“Dependent on a healthy list, we’ll look to get two to three games into some of our more experienced players and then there’ll be a number of younger players who we’ll look to play every game to fast-track their development,” he said. “We’ll play between 10-15 AFLW girls each week, so then there’ll always be five to six train-ons through the VFLW train-on program or through our Academy. This weekend we’ll have four Academy players who have been performing really well, then we’ll have six VFLW train-on players from across community football, and then the rest [11 players] will be AFLW girls.”

How to watch:

All VFLW matches will be live streamed free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Visit: afl.com.au/stream-vfl and follow the links. All matches will be available to watch on demand.

Match details:

VFLW Round 3
Blues v GIANTS
Saturday, April 6 at 2pm EDT
Ikon Park | WurundjeriTeam

Team:

FB: Cambridge McCormick, Daisy Walker
HB: Teagan Germech, Tarni Evans, Summer Hall
C: Emily Pease, Megan Misfud, Madison Brazendale
HF: Jessica Doyle, Sophie De Castella, Sophie Kavanagh
FF: Fleur Davies, Zarlie Goldsworthy
RR: Eilish O’Dowd, Kaitlyn Srhoj, Mikayla Pauga

Interchange: Grace Buchan, Amelie Prosser-Shaw, Caitlin Fletcher, Olivia Edwards, Charlotte Canavan

 

[Giant Strides]

A GIANT Return to the VFLW

GIANTS AFLW coach Cam Bernasconi gives his take on the club’s winning return to the VFLW over the weekend.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

GIANTS AFLW coach Cam Bernasconi says he’s thrilled with the club’s return to the VFLW on Saturday as several new and existing players got off to strong starts in preparation for a big AFLW season later in the year.

Taking part in the VFLW for five games between rounds 3-7, the GIANTS kicked off their reintroduction to the competition with a spirited eight-point win over Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon.
Playing in the VFLW for the first time since 2019, the GIANTS overcame a slow start to blitz the Blues with a four-goal to zero third term to turn a 13-point half-time deficit into a 15-point lead at the final break before holding on to register a 6.7 (43) to 5.5 (35) win.
Bernasconi also gave his assessment of the 11-AFLW listed players from Saturday’s win over Carlton:

Cambridge McCormick

15 disposals, five marks, two tackles

“It was a really good first game. She backed up her pre-season performances. She took the game on and generated a lot of intercept possessions for us.”

Daisy Walker

Nine disposals, two marks

“A great first game against her old club where she competed really well. Her weapon is winning one on ones and she certainly did that."

Tarni Evans

14 disposals, five marks, four tackles

“She was the captain for the game, and she led by example. She kicked the ball well and also generated some intercept possessions for us.”

Emily Pease

11 disposals

“She had some really important moments early and also late playing on the wing. She especially stood up in some big moments late in the game.”

Madison Brazendale

20 disposals, one goal, two clearances

“She had a really strong game. She had 20 touches and a goal, and she was one of our better players.”

Jessica Doyle

12 disposals, one goal, three marks, four tackles

“Another one who was one of our better players. She stood up, especially in the third quarter to get us going.”

Fleur Davies

Nine disposals, 31 hit-outs, a goal, five tackles

“Fleur was dominant in the ruck with her hit-outs despite her limited time in there. She looked dangerous ahead of the footy as well.”

Zarlie Goldsworthy

13 disposals, five tackles, seven clearances, a goal

“She was very good. Again, her ability to go inside and win clearance but also play ahead of the ball and look dangerous was at a high level. She also went behind the ball late to help us win.”

Eilish O’Dowd

7 disposals, six tackles, 20 hit-outs

“A great first-ever game of AFLW. She had 20 hit-outs in her first game so there were some really promising signs for Eilish.”

Kaitlyn Srhoj

15 disposals, four tackles, five clearances

“Her work rate around the ball was really impressive and for her first game she had high pressure and had lots of score involvements too.”

Mikayla Pauga

16 disposals, nine tackles, three marks, three clearances, one goal

“Another first-gamer for the club that did really well and showed her strength to win the ball from stoppage and also hit the scoreboard.”

VFLW-Listed player shoutout: Summer Hall

Seven disposals, four tackles

“Summer did some really special things off half back and showed she’s got some AFLW traits.”

 

[Colonial]

 

[Giant Strides]

AFLW Star and Two New Recruits Bolster VFLW Squad

An AFLW star and two new AFLW recruits have been added to the GIANTS’ VFLW side to take on the Southern Saints on Saturday.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

AFLW star Haneen Zreika and new recruits Claire Ransom and Courtney Murphy have been added to a strong VFLW lineup for the club’s clash with the Southern Saints at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.

A 48-game veteran for the club’s AFLW side, Zreika will bolster a GIANTS team looking to make it two from two in its return to the VFLW competition after taking down the Carlton by eight points last weekend in the club’s first VFLW game since 2019. One of the club’s most diligent players, Zreika will be looking to use the VFL as a warm up for another strong AFLW campaign, with the 160cm pocket rocket taking out the club’s Coaches Award last year after averaging 13 touches and 8.8 tackles per game across a variety of roles.

Meanwhile Ransom and Murphy will represent the orange and charcoal for the first time on Saturday after joining the club in the summer from the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions respectively. Hailing from Tasmania, Ransom was originally taken with pick 34 by the Suns in the 2022 AFLW Draft where she went on to play two games in her debut season before being placed on the inactive list in 2023 for personal reasons. A tough but silky-smooth midfielder capable of playing all over the ground, the 20-year-old will be looking to replicate her form for Tasmania in the Coates Talent League where she was named in both the 2021 and 2022 Team of the Year.

Murphy, an athletic young ruck, will also play her first game in GIANTS colours on Saturday after the former basketball star joined the club in a trade with the Brisbane Lions in the summer. Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, Murphy grew up playing football throughout her teens but recently took a four-year break to play college basketball in the United States before returning to Australia and joining the Lions for the 2023 AFLW season.

The GIANTS’ VFLW side will consist of 14 AFLW- listed players against the Saints, with stars Zarlie Goldsworthy and Tarni Evans headlining the contingent once again.

Youngster Shiarna Tarasenko and Zoe Hurrell, both train on players with the club’s VFLW program, have also been added to this weekend’s side.

Team:

FB: Cambridge McCormick, Daisy Walker
HB: Teagan Germech, Tarni Evans, Grace Buchan
C: Emily Pease, Kaitlyn Srhoj, Madison Brazendale
HF: Jessica Doyle, Haneen Zreika, Shiarna Tarasenko
FF: Courtney Murphy, Zarlie Goldsworthy
RR: Fleur Davies, Mikayla Pauga, Claire Ransom

Interchange: Summer Hall, Zoe Hurrell, Caitlin Fletcher, Olivia Edwards, Eilish O’Dowd

Ins: Haneen Zreika, Claire Ransom, Courtney Murphy, Shiarna Tarasenko , Zoe Hurrell

Out: Sophie De Castella, Sophie Kavanagh, Megan Misfud, Amelie Prosser-Shaw, Charlotte Canavan

 

[Giant Strides]

Another win for our AFLW side in the VFLW.

 

[Giant Strides]

Miki Pauga, our trade from Brisbane, looks like she will be an excellent addition to our side. Hopefully she can replicate her efforts against the stronger sides.

 

[Orangeutan]

Nice to see Zarlie cashing in!

 

[Giant Strides]

Goldsworthy Dazzles in Another GIANT VFLW Win

Zarlie Goldsworthy was one of several GIANTS to star in the club’s strong win over the Southern Saints on Saturday.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

Goldsworthy Dazzles in Another GIANT VFLW Win​

Zarlie Goldsworthy was one of several GIANTS to star in the club’s strong win over the Southern Saints on Saturday.

GIANTS AFLW coach Cam Bernasconi is thrilled with the club’s return to the VFLW as several of his AFLW stars and emerging youngsters use the competition as the perfect preparation for the upcoming AFLW season.

On Saturday the GIANTS’ VFLW side made it two from two to open their five-game VFLW campaign, smashing the Southern Saints by 62 points in a lopsided affair following their eight-point win over the Blues the week prior. With no AFLW-listed players in their side, the Saints found it tough going against the GIANTS who kept the visitors goalless in a dominant display to run out 9.10 (64) to 0.2 (2) winners at Blacktown International SportsPark on Saturday afternoon.

Leading the way in the big win was reigning Gabrielle Trainor medallist Zarlie Goldsworthy who gathered a match-high 28 disposals and four goals to go along with seven tackles and five clearances in a commanding display. Young forward Jess Doyle also starred up forward alongside Goldsworthy with 22 touches and two goals. Haneen Zreika (24 touches, six tackles), Madison Brazendale (24 touches, four tackles), and new recruit Mikayla Pauga (20 touches, 14 tackles) were also strong contributors.

“Once again, we won playing the GIANTS’ way,” Bernasconi said on the big win. “We scored heavily off turnover as our pressure was really high which allowed us to get the ball in our front half and create a lot of scoring opportunities which was pleasing to see. We knew we were going against a team that didn’t have any AFLW-listed players so we knew our system and structure would probably be our advantage and I thought our girls played their roles within the structure really well which allowed us to set the field up to kick a score which was pleasing.”

He added that some of the club’s younger players had taken big strides in the early goings of the VFLW season, highlighting Madison Brazendale as one who has caught his eye. “Some of our players coming into their second or third year have really started to step forward and have had really good starts to the 2024 program. She [Brazendale] is a great example of a player coming into her third season and she’s taken a massive step forward. She’s worked a lot on the physical side of the game which now allows her to win more contested footy and she’s had a really impressive start to the VFLW program. She’s been one that has certainly taken the most of these opportunities.”

AFLW Players:

3. Eilish O’Dowd

Seven disposals, eight tackles, eight hit-outs

“She showed massive growth in her second game of footy. You can see she’s going to really challenge opposition with her run and carry.”

5. Jessica Doyle

22 disposals, two goals, five tackles

“Another really good game from her. She’s worked really hard and you can see it paying off already.”

7. Zarlie Goldsworthy

28 disposals, four goals, seven tackles, five clearances

“An outstanding game. Her ability to find the ball but also have some really high score involvements and kick four goals was very impressive.”

12. Mikayla Pauga

20 disposals, 14 tackles, three clearances

“Mikayla had a really good game in the midfield. She had 14 tackles and really led the way with our pressure around the ball. She’s going to be a great inclusion for us [AFLW side].”

14. Kaitlyn Srhoj

13 disposals, three tackles, two clearances

“Kaitlyn is getting better and better and she’s looking more confident at this level. She’s going to be a future talent.”

18. Tarni Evans

19 disposals, three marks

“Her ability to generate turnover from our back half was great. She led the backline really well.”

20. Fleur Davies

13 disposals, 24 hit-outs, six tackles, three clearances

“Fleur dominated the ruck and took real advantage. She’s another one that has taken a real step forward this season.”

23. Madison Brazendale

24 disposals, four marks, four tackles

“Another strong game. It looks like she’s taken a massive step forward for us this year.”

24. Haneen Zreika

24 disposals, six tackles, one goal

“It was her first game back and her pressure were elite. Her ability to win the ball back for us but also challenge the opposition and attack as well was great.”

25. Cambridge McCormick

12 disposals, three tackles

“Cambridge is getting better and better. Her ability to generate intercept is a real weapon of hers this year.”

26. Claire Ransom

11 disposals, five tackles, three clearances

“It was her first game and she looked really comfortable playing inside. She competed really hard for four quarters.”

28. Daisy Walker

11 disposals, three marks, four tackles

“She really diligently plays her role. She’s going to be really hard to beat one-on-one and she’s going to be important for us this year.”

32. Courtney Murphy

Seven disposals, eight hit-outs

“It was Courtney’s first game for the club and she looked really dangerous just playing forward this week. She provides another target for us ahead of the ball.”

33. Emily Pease

11 disposals, three tackles, two clearances

“She looks above the level. She’s just super clean and has high impact every time she goes near the ball. “

VFLW Player Shoutout: Teagan Germech

13 disposals, seven marks

“Teagan played really well behind the ball and took some really good intercept marks for us. She showed she can be a key defender and it was exciting for ‘Teags’.”

 

[Giant Strides]

Trio In for VFLW Clash

A trio of AFLW stars will play their first games of the season in the club’s VFLW game on Saturday.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

AFLW stars Georgia Garnett and Katherine Smith will join youngster Caitlin Miller for their first games of the season after being named in the club’s VFLW side to take on Geelong at Tom Wills Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Garnett and Smith will add further experience and star power to a GIANTS side looking to make it three wins in a row, while Miller will look to build on her impressive 2023 debut season as an exciting small forward.

The trio come into the side for Haneen Zreika (managed), Olivia Edwards (omitted), and Fleur Davies (ankle).

The GIANTS’ VFLW side will consist of 15 AFLW-listed players against the Cats, with stars Zarlie Goldsworthy and Tarni Evans headlining the contingent once again.

Playing five games in this year’s VFLW fixture from rounds 3-7, the GIANTS have started their return to the competition in fine form, beating Carlton by eight points in the first match, followed by a 62-point win over the Southern Saints last week.

The GIANTS will host the Cats at 1pm on Saturday at Tom Wills Oval.

How to watch:

All VFLW matches will be live streamed free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

VFLW Round 5

GIANTS v Cats
Saturday, April 20 at 1pm
Tom Wills Oval | Wangal Country

Team:

FB: Cambridge McCormick, Daisy Walker
HB: Caitlin Miller, Tarni Evans, Katherine Smith
C: Emily Pease, Kaitlyn Srhoj, Madison Brazendale
HF: Jessica Doyle, Summer Hall, Georgia Garnett
FF: Courtney Murphy, Zarlie Goldsworthy
RR: Eilish O’Dowd, Mikayla Pauga, Claire Ransom

Interchange: Grace Buchan, Zoe Hurrell, Caitlin Fletcher, Shiarna Tarasenko, Teagan Germech

Ins: Caitlin Miller, Georgia Garnett, Katherine Smith

Out: Haneen Zreika, Fleur Davies, Olivia Edwards

 

[Giant Strides]

Sorry, playing catchup after a couple of weeks of illness & subsequent work/personal catch-up.

Last weekend, our women smashed the Cats in their VFL game.



Zarlie Goldsworthy continues to star all round, while Tarni Evans kicked 4 goals, and Kaitlyn Sifhoj, Miki Pauga, Eilish O'Dowd & Madison Brazendale all had very good games.

 

[Giant Strides]

This weekend, our ladies won away against Port Melbourne. Seems like it was a tougher game this round.

 

[Giant Strides]

GIANTS Take Down Port in VFLW

Hear from GIANTS AFLW coach Cam Bernasconi as the club’s VFLW side looks to finish its 2024 VFLW campaign undefeated.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

Bernasconi also gave his assessment on each of the GIANTS’ AFLW-listed players who featured in Saturday’s win.

AFLW-listed GIANTS:

5. Jessica Doyle

10 disposals, three marks

“She played in a new position (full forward) and will take great learnings from it.”

7. Zarlie Goldsworthy

15 disposals, one goal, seven tackles

“Once again she was really strong around the contest and hit the scoreboard.”

9. Caitlin Miller

10 disposals, two marks

“Continues to learn her new position down back and will take a step forward from it.”

14. Kaitlyn Srhoj

17 disposals, eight tackles, one goal

“It was a good challenge playing in the midfield in a scrappy game and she helped us win contested ball."

17. Georgia Garnett

Eight disposals, three marks

“Had some strong moments playing in the forward line.”

18. Tarni Evans

19 disposals, four marks, two tackles

“Continued her strong form intercepting and finding the ball down back.”

23. Madison Brazendale

23 disposals, six tackles

“The best game for ‘Braz’ so far. She was strong in the contest and bought her weapons on the outside as well. Probably the best I’ve seen her play.”

24. Haneen Zreika

14 disposals, five tackles

“Great to have her back in the side. Her pressure is always at a high standard.”

25. Cambridge McCormick

22 disposals, eight marks, two tackles

“Once again she was really strong and won some important one-on-ones behind the ball.”

26. Claire Ransom

13 disposals, nine tackles

“She continues to improve every single week. She helps us win contest.”

28. Daisy Walker

12 disposals, two tackles

“She was rock solid down back again where she thrives in the contest.”

33. Emily Pease

10 disposals, six tackles, three clearances

“Looked super composed and helped generate our ball movement again.”

VFLW Shoutout: 31. Sophie Kavanagh

13 disposals, one goal

“She came back in the side this week and looked dangerous playing forward.”

 

[Giant Strides]

Two Big Ins for Final VFLW Hit-Out

The GIANTS have made two changes for their fifth and final VFLW game of the season against the Bombers in Blacktown on Sunday.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

Two Big Ins for Final VFLW Hit-Out​

The GIANTS have made two changes for their fifth and final VFLW game of the season against the Bombers in Blacktown on Sunday.

AFLW premiership player Mikayla Pauga will return to the GIANTS’ VFLW side alongside fellow recruit Courtney Murphy for the club’s final game of the season against the Bombers on Sunday.

Impressing as an inside midfielder since joining the club in the summer following a premiership with the Brisbane Lions last year, Pauga will look to finish her VFLW campaign with another strong outing against the Bombers in Blacktown. Fellow former Lion, Murphy, also returns to the GIANTS’ line-up, with the tall utility overcoming a minor back complaint which forced her to miss last week’s 25-point win over Port Melbourne.

The pair come into the side in place of fellow recruit Claire Ransom, who will miss the match after a one-match suspension for rough conduct in last week’s win, alongside superstar Zarlie Goldsworthy who is unavailable for the clash. Re-introduced into the VFLW competition this year for the first time since 2019, the GIANTS will play their final of five matches as part of their 2024 VFLW stint on Sunday as they look to finish their campaign undefeated.

The GIANTS will host the Bombers at Blacktown international SportsPark on Sunday at 1pm.

Team:

FB: Cambridge McCormick, Teagan Germech
HB: Caitlin Miller, Tarni Evans, Katherine Smith
C: Emily Pease, Kaitlyn Srhoj, Madison Brazendale
HF: Haneen Zreika, Summer Hall, Sophie Kavanagh
FF: Jessica Doyle, Georgia Garnett
RR: Courtney Murphy, Daisy Walker, Mikayla Pauga

Interchange: Olivia Edwards, Zoe Hurrell, Caitlin Fletcher, Shiarna Tarasenko, Grace Buchan

In: Mikayla Pauga, Courtney Murphy

Out: Claire Ransom (suspension), Zarlie Goldsworthy (unavailable)

 

[Giant Strides]

I assume it's going to be a wet weather game in Sydney for the ladies today.

All in all, this seems to have been a good initiative for Swans and Giants to play in the VFLW. Obviously, the standard is well below AFL level, but it's allowed us to get some competitive game time into some of the newer and junior team members (such as the Irish recruit Eilish O'Dowd, Kaitlyn Srhoj, Claire Ransom, Mikayala Pauga, Madi Brazendale) as well as give some experience to the next layer of players coming through such as Sophie Kavanaugh.

Hopefully, the coach has been able to look at the players and take some useful outcomes away for the AFLW season.

 

[Giant Strides]

Good games from Madi Brazendale & Em Pease - hopefully they can transfer that form into AFLW. And Miki Pauga continues to show she's a solid pick up.

Well done, ladies, an excellent run in the VFLW. Hopefully it prepares us for a decent shot at the AFLW this year.

 

[Giant Strides]

Not that it means too much ...

On top of the ladder when we finish our VFLW stint (Swans fell at the last hurdle, the only comp in which we came out on top of them this weekend.)

 

[MelbourneGWS]

our club’s review of our VFLW campaign - now to replicate this fantastic performance in the AFLW!

Dominant GIANTS Finish VFLW Campaign Undefeated

The GIANTS have ended their brilliant return to the VFLW undefeated after an impressive win over Essendon in Blacktown on Sunday.

www.gwsgiants.com.au