The GIANTS’ AFLW side has been bolstered by the inclusion of priority player Louise Stephenson to take on Melbourne at Blacktown on Friday night.
The 21-year-old Victorian is set to make her AFLW debut after recovering from an MCL knee injury sustained in a practice match prior to round one. The 176cm utility player from Melbourne University loves to run and spends time playing in both the ruck and forward line.
A stand-out youth girls footballer, Stephenson was just 18 when she was selected to represent the Western Bulldogs in the inaugural Women’s Exhibition match in 2013.
Also returning to this week’s team are forwards Jacinda Barclay and Codie Briggs.
Barclay returns following a one-week suspension for rough conduct and will return to her regular spot up forward. She has kicked two goals in her three games so far and impressed with her physicality.
Barclay has represented Australia in women’s baseball and most recently was playing American Football (LFL) for the Chicago Bliss where she led them to the championship.
Briggs also been recalled to the forward line for her second game of the season following her debut in Adelaide last month.
The niece of highly decorated West Coast Eagles champion and Indigenous leader David Wirrpanda, Briggs is a pastry chef by trade and was selected as a free-agent from the Newtown Breakaways.
Going out of the side are Mai Nguyen, Stephanie Walker and Alex Saundry. Nguyen will miss the remainder of the season after tearing her ACL in last weekend’s loss to Brisbane while Walker and Saundry have been omitted.
The GIANTS take on Melbourne on Friday night as part of a huge double-header at Blacktown International Sportspark. The AFLW team take on Melbourne from 5:05pm followed by the JLT Community Series match between the GIANTS and the Swans at 7:40pm.
GIANTS AFL and AFLW members (with game access) receive free entry (subject to capacity) or click here to purchase your tickets now.
Round Five
GWS GIANTS v Melbourne
Friday March 3, 5:05pm
Blacktown International Sportspark
FB: Alex Williams (20), Kristy De Pellegrini (9)
HB: Amanda Farrugia (18), Renee Tomkins (1), Nicola Barr (8)
C: Ashleigh Guest (19), Emma Swanson (17), Maddy Collier (14)
R: Erin McKinnon (23), Britt Tully (16), Jess Dal Pos (7)
HF: Rebecca Beeson (6), Phoebe McWilliams (3), Aimee Schmidt (11)
FF: Ellie Brush (10), Jacinda Barclay (34)
Interchange: Ella Ross (15), Louise Stephenson (12), Clare Lawton (41), Codie Briggs (31), Kate Stanton (33), Jessica Bibby (22)
In: Louise Stephenson, Jacinda Barclay, Codie Briggs
Out: Mai Nguyen (knee), Stephanie Walker, Alex Saundry (omitted)
Emergencies: Stephanie Walker, Alex Saundry
