With plenty of momentum off the back of a drought-breaking win in Canberra, the GIANTS look to reclaim bragging rights in their round six match against the Swans.
AFLW ROUND 6
Swans v GIANTS
Sunday, September 21 at 1:05pm
Henson Park, Marrickville | Gadigal & Wangal
What It Means For The GIANTS
Emotions were high for the GIANTS in the changerooms post-match, following a crucial round five win over the Bulldogs.
Looking to change the narrative of their 2025 NAB AFLW season, the GIANTS produced an outstanding third quarter, registering a record-six goals, to storm home against the Bulldogs 50-29.
The win supplies the team with plenty of confidence as they move into preparation for round six, a huge Sydney Derby IV.
After claiming the win in the first-ever Derby when the Swans entered the competition in 2022, the GIANTS have struggled to recapture that success, losing the next two subsequent matches to take a 1-2 record into the 2025 match-up.
Sydney Derby IV also shapes as an important moment for fans, with both teams coming together to encourage mass attendance at the match, in the hopes of breaking the crowd record for at Henson Park and see 6000 fans through the gates.
The game also holds significant value for Georgia Garnett, who will line up for her 50th AFLW match as a GIANT, at a ground where she played plenty of junior football.
GIANTS fans are encouraged to bring along their family and friends to turn up for Garnett and the team – decked out in orange – to change AFLW for the better as we look to extend AFLW seasons to 14 games and evolve the league.
The Opposition
Undefeated going into their round five clash with Collingwood, the Swans suffered a shock-loss at the hands of the Pies, not registering a goal until the last quarter to eventually lose 43-17.
The Swans had previously boasted one of the best percentages in the league and were ranked second for points scored, following their biggest-ever win, a 103-21 victory over the Suns in round two.
Led from the front by co-captains Lucy McEvoy and Chloe Molloy, who returned from an ACL rehabilitation that rendered her unable to play through 2024, to now lead the league in goals scored.
Molloy’s performance appears critical to the team’s ability to win this year, with the Swans boasting a 100% win rate when Molloy scores two or more goals.
An expansion side, the Swans have tasted early success, after entering the competition in 2022 and playing finals for the first time in 2023 but struggling to replicate the success without Molloy in the 2024 season.
They added some strong talent to their list ahead of the 2025 competition, including West Australian Zippy Fish, who was taken with pick 5 at the national Draft and has already claimed a Rising Star nomination for her work out of half-back.
With the GIANTS coming off a win and the Swans coming down after a loss, Sydney Derby IV presents as a scintillating contest, with bragging rights on the line.
The Swans will be without outside midfielder Julie O’Sullivan, with the Irish recruit disappointingly ruled out for the season after suffering an ACL injury against the Magpies.
Key Match Up: Half-line Hostilities
With the Swans left scratching heads after their first loss of the season, their issues will be compounded by how to quell the GIANTS attacking line-up, after five different players registered goals in the Bulldogs win.
Georgia Garnett’s three goals and Taylah Levy’s two while patrolling the attacking arc showcase the GIANTS’ ability to find alternative routes inside 50 when opponents focus their defensive efforts on key forward Tarni Evans.
They’ll hope to prove a headache for the Swans half-back line-up of Fish, 2024 All Australian Brenna Tarrant and Lara Hausegger who had been stingy in defence before their round five loss.
The GIANTS half-forwards will play an important role in minimising the rebounding pace of the Swans through Fish and Tarrant.
The duo have been critical in instigating the Swans attack out of defence, with Fish boasting an average of 433 metres gained per match and Tarrant averaging six intercept possessions a game.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Georgia Garnett
Delivering the best performance of her season to date and picking up the AFLPA’s MVP of the round for her efforts, half-forward Georgia Garnett will play her 50th AFLW game in Sydney Derby IV.
A three-goal third quarter by Garnett helped extend the GIANTS lead to what proved an insurmountable margin, to secure the team’s first win of the season.
Garnett’s consistency in moving up field to work as a transition cog, as well as be a target inside 50 makes her a crucial part of the GIANTS attacking play.
She also boasts adaptability, having switched to defence to provide an additional set of hands in the last line at several points throughout the season.
One of the GIANTS first selections out of Western Sydney, Garnett represents the generational investment into the region, to both develop fans and players of the game in GIANTS heartland is one of the team’s biggest personalities.
In The Mix
The GIANTS came out of the Bulldogs win without any additional injuries. Though Alicia Eva is nearing a return from the hamstring injury that has made her unavailable for the last three rounds, she’s targeting selection in round seven or eight.
With just three players currently on the GIANTS’ rehab list, coach Cam Bernasconi has a whole host of options to select from.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their final team to take on the Swans at 6:20pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
Where To Watch
Sunday's clash will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel 7 and 7plus from 1:00pm, as well as nationally on Fox Sports 3, Kayo and BINGE from 1:00pm.
