Alyce Parker sure is reminding the footy world of her talents in 2026.
Parker was forced to watch almost the entire 2025 AFLW campaign from the sidelines after suffering a fractured foot in the opening round of the season.
Now fully fit and firing after an extensive rehab program and countless hours of work in the gym, the dual All-Australian and four-time club champion is not just back to her best in 2026 – she’s taken it to a new level.
Despite an already glowing resume, Parker’s 2026 campaign has seen her elevate her game to even greater heights with a run of career-best form.
Across her 10 games this season, Parker is averaging astonishing numbers in kicks (16.6), tackles (6.1), clearances (6.4), metres gained (395.2), and goals per game (0.7). She also sits third across the entire competition for contested possessions and just outside of the top 10 in disposals (24.4 per game).
Highlighting her dominance this season, Parker currently leads the GIANTS in disposals, contested possessions, kicks, tackles, pressure acts, clearances, inside 50s, and groundball gets, while sitting third in goals scored with seven so far this season.
The superstar midfielder’s brilliant campaign continued on Sunday, earning maximum coaches votes with a starring 20-disposals, three-goal performance to help lead the GIANTS to a thrilling one-point upset win over the Hawks at Henson Park.
A force around the ball as usual, Parker was also rested forward at times against the Hawks, where her power and craftiness around goals were on full display – kicking three vital goals, including a clutch major in the final minutes to help the GIANTS hold on for the heart-stopping win.
GIANTS Head Coach Cam Bernasconi said having Parker return to the side this season had been a blessing.
“She's been like a star recruit for us,” he said.
“She's been a great player for this footy club for a long time, but missing her for a full season last year gives you more gratitude for how important she is for us.”
He added that Parker’s 2026 form was just rewards for the effort she’d put in behind closed doors to get back from her best since last year’s season-ending foot injury.
“I'm not surprised she's doing what she's doing. It's been a few big pre-seasons, and she's been building for this, so it's been great to see.
“She's the ultimate professional, Parks. Her ability to have high-performance habits 24/7 is a credit to her.
“That's why, when she comes back from injuries or when she comes back from the [family] farm [she visits in the off-season], she always comes back fitter, faster and stronger. She's an extremely hard worker.
“There's no surprise. She just keeps getting better and better.”
Bernasconi said Parker has improved in several areas to help take her game to new heights this season.
“There’s a number of things,” he said.
“She's really worked on her ability to cover the ground. It's something that she's honed in on over the last few years to improve, so she's improved at that. But she's also got back to her absolute strength, which is contested ball.
“She is just dominating the comp in contested possessions. I'm pretty sure she's number one, two or three in the comp. So, not only has she added growth to her game, but she's made her strength even better, and she's just one of the best - if not the best - contested players in the competition.
“So that's really pleasing to see because it fits in with our philosophies. You've got to work on your weaknesses, but you've also got to make your strengths real weapons.
“She's bringing her weapon week in and week out, and she's also hit the scoreboard a little bit more, too, which has been great to see.”
Parker will look to continue her dominant season on Sunday against the Blues at Ikon Park, before returning to Sydney for the side’s final game of the season against the Suns at Henson Park in round 12 on Sunday, November 1.
