High flying Magpie forward Christina Bernardi has become a GIANT. 

The 27-year-old who was named at full forward in the 2018 Virgin Australia AFLW All Australian team after kicking nine goals for Collingwood has joined the GIANTS as part of a complex trade involving five clubs.

The GIANTS received Bernardi from Collingwood and maintained their first round draft selection, receiving pick 12 from Melbourne, while they traded out Picks 7 and 19 to Collingwood and Pick 20 to Geelong.

Bernardi was drafted by Collingwood with pick 132 of the 2016 NAB AFLW Draft as a midfielder but has since become one of the most damaging forwards in the game.

Known for her accuracy in front of goal and her bravery to run back with the flight of the ball, Bernardi averaged 11.4 disposals and 4.3 marks per game in 2018. 

GIANTS coach Alan McConnell welcomed the signing of Bernardi, who outside of football is a teacher. 

“We’re delighted to have Christina join the club,” McConnell said.

“To have an All Australian make the decision to move to the club shows that we’re building a really strong culture here at the GIANTS.

“Christina is an experienced competitive forward, who isn’t afraid of a contest and she will add some fire power to our forward line, while she also has the ability to run in the midfield and win the footy.” 

In further good news for the GIANTS, five local players and an international star will return in 2019. 

Canberra’s Britt Tully and Hay’s Jodie Hicks have signed on for another season at the GIANTS, and the club’s first-ever New South Wales signing, Maddy Collier, has extended her stay at the club to a third season. 

Forwards Rebecca Beeson and Jacinda Barclay will don the orange and charcoal for another season while promising South Australian rookie Tait Mackrill has also put pen to paper on a new contract.

Irish sensation Cora Staunton, who lit up the competition in 2018 with her unique kicking style and hard-nosed attack at the football, will return to Western Sydney for a second season. 

The Ladies Gaelic Football legend will join the GIANTS once her duties with county Mayo conclude in November.

GIANTS 2019 AFL Women’s List

Alicia Eva

Jess Dal Pos

Nicola Barr

Tanya Hetherington

Ellie Brush

Aimee Schmidt

Louise Stephenson

Emma Swanson

Amanda Farrugia

Pepa Randall

Elle Bennetts

Erin McKinnon

Courtney Gum

Phoebe Monahan

Rebecca Beeson

Jacinda Barclay

Maddy Collier

Jodie Hicks

Britt Tully

Tait Mackrill

Cora Staunton

Christina Bernardi

The GIANTS hold picks 12, 42 and 53 in the 2018 NAB AFL Women’s Draft to be held in Melbourne in October.