GIANTS’ midfielder Haneen Zreika will miss the 2025 AFLW season, after announcing the exciting news that she is expecting her first child later this year.

Zreika announced the reason for her pre-season absence to an exuberant playing group last week.

AFLW head coach Cam Bernasconi wished Haneen and husband Ozzy all the best for their next chapter.

“We were delighted by Haneen’s news and are excited for both her and her husband and all that’s to come for them,” Bernasconi said.

“She’s still a huge part of this team and club and we’re lucky to have her around the girls for the upcoming season.

“Haneen will still play a big part in helping this young group of players develop and her investment in this program and care for others highlights how great a mum she is going to be.

“We wish her all the best.”

Exciting, local talent and former GIANTS train on player Sophie Kavanagh has been selected as Zreika's replacement for the season, the club’s final AFLW signing for 2025.  

The Sydneysider returns to the GIANTS from reigning premiers North Melbourne, where she was signed as a replacement player in 2024.

“Sophie is from an athletics background and has only been playing footy for three years, which makes her rise quite astonishing,” GIANTS AFLW List Manager Tyson Bourke said.

“After performing in our VFLW side last year, she was signed by North Melbourne for the 2024 AFLW season.

“Since returning to Sydney, Sophie has taken her game to another level to now be one of the better players in the AFL Sydney competition.

“She has always had a strong athletic profile however her game knowledge and fundamentals have gone to another level since returning.”

The former Parramatta Goannas and North Shore Bombers star of the AFL Sydney competition rounds out the playing squad ahead of the club and league’s 10th season. 

With Kavanagh having now joined the team’s pre-season schedule, only Irish-based ruck Eilish O’Dowd is left to rejoin the squad at GIANTS HQ ahead of the competition’s August start date.

O’Dowd is currently home playing Gaelic football and will return for the remainder of the GIANTS’ pre-season once her duties in Ireland are complete.