The GIANTS have signed former Geelong player Rene Caris for the upcoming NAB AFLW season. 

Caris joins the GIANTS’ 30-player list in replace of youngster Megan Gaffney, who will unfortunately miss the 2023 season due to an ACL injury. 

Hailing from rural Victoria, Caris’ most recent form has been on display in the VFLW competition where she helped the Collingwood Magpies to the 2023 VFLW Grand Final. 

The 184cm ruck was drafted to the Cats via pick 35 in the 2018 National Draft. After making her AFLW debut in round five, 2019, the 24-year-old went on to play 12 games before being delisted at the end of season six. 

Since joining the Magpies’ set-up for both the VFLW program as well as an AFLW train-on player, the versatile tall has been working on her craft both in the ruck as well as a key forward. 

GIANTS’ AFLW List Manager, Tyson Bourke, congratulated Caris. 

“Rene has been a player we have been following for a while. She had an excellent season playing for Collingwood in the VFLW, including a strong finals series which was capped off with her performance in the grand final,” he said. 

“She is strong and athletic and will be an excellent fit for our club.” 

GIANTS Head of Women’s Football, Briana Harvey, echoed Bourke’s congratulations. 

“It’s been fantastic to add someone of Rene’s calibre and experience to our list so late in the season,” Harvey said. 

Harvey expressed her support to Megan Gaffney, who will move to the inactive list for the upcoming season. 

“It’s devastating for Gaff [Gaffney]. She’d really put in the work in the off-season, participating in the SANFLW and putting in the hard work in pre-season,” Harvey said. 

“She’s in the best hands here as she begins her rehabilitation, and we’ll support her every step of the way.” 

The GIANTS will face off against the Swans as part of the opening round of the 2023 NAB AFLW season on Sunday, September 3.