Alicia Eva will lead a new-look leadership group at the GIANTS as the AFL Women’s program prepares for season six of the AFLW competition.
30-year-old Eva will enter her third season as captain with the highly regarded player and coach having led the team through a challenging 2021 season.
She will be supported by defender Pepa Randall and Irish forward Cora Staunton, both previously members of the leadership group.
Inaugural number one draft pick Nicola Barr, two-time All Australian Alyce Parker and Olympian Chloe Dalton will all join the group for the first time this season.
Barr is a foundation player of the club with the 25-year-old having played 30 games in orange and charcoal over five seasons.
Parker is already a star of the competition at just 21 years of age, winning the past two Gabrielle Trainor Medals as club champion. She is entering her fourth season in 2022.
Dalton joined the GIANTS this off-season after 16 games for Carlton. A dual-code athlete, Dalton won gold at the Rio Olympic Games with the Rugby 7s team.
Coach Alan McConnell said the AFLW program was spoilt for choice when it comes to leaders both on and off field.
“We’re thrilled Alicia leads us into another season as captain,” he said.
“She is an outstanding person and captain and her record in leading from the front, setting the standard and being a pillar of strength through tough situations speaks for itself.
“Pepa and Cora have been in this group before but they thoroughly deserve their selections as key members of our side both on and off the field.
“It’s exciting for Nic to reach this level as someone who has been part of our club from the very start. She is passionate and driven and wants to have an impact.
“Alyce is already a star of the competition on the field but she also has a huge amount to offer off the field and though young, she has a wealth of experience that she brings to this group.
“Chloe brings a fresh perspective from someone who has achieved a lot in the sporting sphere and has also used her voice to effect real change.
“We’re really excited by the make-up of this group to lead us into the 2022 season and are looking forward to games getting under way in the coming months.”
Alicia Eva will be supported by the five other members of the leadership group acting as co-Vice Captains, sharing this role equally.
The GIANTS’ preparations for the 2022 NAB AFLW season continue, with season six set to kick off in the first weekend in January.
