The GIANTS have made four changes to their team to play Carlton in a Friday-night blockbuster at Drummoyne Oval. 

2017 mainstays Emma Swanson, Aimee Schmidt and Renee Tomkins make their return to the side as UNSW-ES Bulldogs draftee Phoebe Monahan makes her AFLW debut.

Maddy Collier, Rebecca Privitelli, Jodie Hicks and Louise Stephenson all make way after featuring in the GIANTS’ round one, six-point loss to Melbourne last Saturday at Casey Fields.

“The girls who come out will put their hand up and acknowledge that they didn’t play to the best of their ability last week and they’ll go away and work on what they need to work on,” GIANTS coach Alan McConnell said. 

“They’re also a bit unfortunate that they’re victims of us now having a near fully fit playing list.”

Monahan has impressed on the training track after being selected by the GIANTS with pick 39 of the 2017 NAB AFLW draft last November. 

A strong and agile defender with elite running capabilities, Monahan is a Sapper in the Australian Defence Force and made a name for herself in AFL Sydney’s Women’s Premier Division last year.

The 24-year-old finished third in the 2017 Mostyn Medal behind GIANTS captain Amanda Farrugia and now teammate Nicola Barr.

“Phoebe came to our testing day last September on the back of a really good season with UNSW in the Sydney Women’s competition and really impressed us,” McConnell said.

“Since being drafted Phoebe’s worked really hard throughout the pre-season and has shown us that she’s a real competitor who has a great engine and is really strong around the contest.” 

Marquee signing Emma Swanson makes her return from a foot injury and will add an extra touch of quality to the GIANTS midfield.

The 22-year-old averaged 16 disposals in five matches in 2017 and was amongst the GIANTS best in their draw with Fremantle and win over Melbourne.

Defender Renee Tomkins and forward Aimee Schmidt both return from interrupted pre-seasons, with Tomkins likely to be thrown the challenge of shutting down Carlton’s livewire forward Tayla Harris. 

“Tomkins was close to All Australian last year, while Emma showed glimpses of why she was one of our marquee signings, so it’s great to have them back,” McConnell said.

“We know that the four coming in will put in a really good performance and as a squad we’re looking to get our first win of the year in front of a big crowd at Drummoyne Oval.”