With a significant celebration on the cards as they host their first AFLW Welcome Game, the GIANTS will be looking to put on a long weekend show for the Saturday crowd at Henson Park.
AFLW ROUND 8
GIANTS v Saints
Saturday, October 4 at 1:05pm
Henson Park, Marrickville| Gadigal & Wangal
Welcome Game
Following on from the success of the club's AFL Cultural Heritage Series match against Richmond in May, the GIANTS will continue to recognise the contribution of the diverse cultural make-up of the GIANTS' community with the first AFLW Welcome Game.
The 'Welcome Game' will offer fans an immersive experience featuring cultural performances, interactive stalls such as henna painting and traditional braiding, as well as on-field entertainment ahead of the game and at the three-quarter time break.
The match will celebrate the diversity that contributes to and enriches the club, and game of Australian Rules.
What It Means For The GIANTS
A disappointing turn of form against the Eagles in their first trip to Perth since 2021 has left the GIANTS with plenty to improve on going into round eight.
The Eagles kicked away in the back half of the game, scoring six of the last seven goals despite an early swing of momentum to the GIANTS in the third quarter.
The travellers were unable to wrest back control, despite valiant efforts from leaders Bec Beeson (27 disposals, 9 tackles) and Katherine Smith (career high 21-disposals).
A win against the Saints would mark the GIANTS best season since the competition reached all 18-teams in 2022 and signify the growing strength of the program under head coach Cam Bernasconi.
With St Kilda coming off a hard-fought comeback win over Port Adelaide and the GIANTS holding the home ground advantage, round eight shapes as an important opportunity for the team to put a stamp of success on their tenth season.
The Opposition
Starting the season with a bang by defeating perennial contenders the Crows in a shock win, the Saints have gone on to have a mixed season with four wins and three losses.
With tall forward Jesse Wardlaw leading the way up front, the Saints put together a remarkable 11-point win over Port Adelaide in round seven, mounting a 38-point turnaround and holding the Power scoreless in the final quarter to deliver one of the best comeback wins in ten seasons of AFLW.
The Saints scored six goals in the final term, Wardlaw notching three of them, and managed to shut down the Power’s avenue to goal and finishing 8.5.53 to 6.6.42.
The GIANTS will be looking to shut down their goalkicking threat by minimising marks inside 50 and diminishing their threat in the air.
In disappointing news for the visitors, star midfielder Ash Richards, who was prolific in the turnaround has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering an ankle injury late in the game.
The loss of Richards means the GIANTS will be left to focus on shutting down her halves on-ball partner Tyanna Smith, one of the Saints most consistent performers over the last three seasons.
Key Match Up: Which Inaugural Will Ignite?
Jamie Lambert has been one of the Saints most damaging players in recent years and has back-to-back best and fairest titles at the club to show for it.
An inaugural player who has spent time at three clubs across her ten seasons, Lambert has continued to improve and is on track for another high-performing season, well above her career average in most stats.
Though quiet last week against the Power, Lambert’s importance to the side can’t be understated and she shapes as a key match-up for GIANTS’ captain Bec Beeson.
Beeson, off the back of her own best and fairest season is in career-best form, with the GIANT averaging 22 disposals and six tackles a game, compared with Lambert’s own 19 disposals and seven tackles average.
Both on-field leaders for their sides, this battle between two inaugural players could be a match-defining one.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Brodee Mowbray
Renowned among her teammates for her fearless approach to game day and the intent with which she attacks the ball, Mowbray has been one of the GIANTS’ most consistent performers through the first half of the season.
A Western Sydney product who started her AFLW journey with the Camden Cats, Mowbray has been delivering week-in week-out for her team, including a legacy game against the Swans in the round six Derby.
Touted for her agility and groundwork, it’s been Mowbray’s relentless pursuit of the ball which has made her a standout in 2025.
Used both at half-forward and further into the midfield when needed, Mowbray has become an important transition outlet for the GIANTS and has showcased immense skill in contest as well as pace through the season.
She’ll be looking to add to her two-goal tally for the season as the GIANTS hope to pile plenty of scoreboard pressure on the Saints.
In The Mix
Alicia Eva will be available for selection after travelling with the team and putting important kilometres in her legs last week.
With plenty of GIANTS players continuing to challenge for a position through consistent performances at scrimmage level, Cam Bernasconi has plenty of options on the list heading back to Henson to meet with the Saints.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their final team to take on the Saints at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.
Where To Watch
Saturday’s clash will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on 7Mate and 7plus from 1:00pm, as well as nationally on Fox Sports 3, Kayo and BINGE from 1:00pm.
