The GIANTS’ 2026 AFLW season will be celebrated in style on Tuesday night at the Gabrielle Trainor Medal held at the newly opened Powerhouse Parramatta.  

As we prepare to crown the GIANTS’ AFLW club champion, GIANTS Media has looked at some of the contenders for this year’s honour following a host of strong individual performances across the 2026 AFLW season. 

How does the count work?   

After every game, Head Coach Cam Bernasconi - with input from his assistant coaches – awards votes to as many players as he sees fit on a scale of 1-6, with a maximum of 6 votes available per player per round.    

The votes from across the season are then tallied up, with the player with the most votes crowned the Gabrielle Trainor Medallist.   

Previous Winners:  

2025 – Zarlie Goldsworthy 
2024 – Bec Beeson 
2023 – Zarlie Goldsworthy 
2022 (S7) – Alyce Parker 
2022 - Alyce Parker 
2021 – Alyce Parker 
2020 – Alyce Parker 
2019 – Rebecca Beeson 
2018 – Alicia Eva 
2017 – Jessica Dal Pos  

2026 Gabrielle Trainor Medal Contenders:   

Rebecca Beeson  

Already a two-time winner after taking out the 2019 and 2024 Gabrielle Trainor Medals, Rebecca Beeson enters Tuesday night aiming to become just the second-ever GIANT to win three AFLW club champion awards, alongside Alyce Parker who has four to her name.  

The inspirational skipper endured another brilliant campaign in the middle for the GIANTS in 2026, averaging 20.4 disposals to go along with 4.4 tackles and 5.2 clearances -the second highest tally of her stellar 10-season career.  

Beeson’s ability to win the footy and inspire her side in times of need saw her further cement herself as a barometer for her side in a season in which she played all 12 games. 

Collecting 15 disposals or more in 10 of her 12 games, Beeson was one of the side’s most consistently impactful players once again in 2026 and will be sure to feature prominently as she looks to join illustrious company on Tuesday night.  

Alyce Parker  

Alyce Parker enters Tuesday’s count off a dominant career-best campaign to put her name firmly in the mix for what would be a record fifth Gabrielle Trainor Medal. 

Already a four-time winner after saluting in 2020, 2021, 2022 (S6), and 2022 (S7), Parker would further enter uncharted territory at the GIANTS if she can claim another Gabrielle Trainor Medal on Tuesday night. 

Recently named in this year’s AFLW All-Australian squad, Parker bounced back from a year out of the game via injury with a remarkable 2026 campaign. 

Her dominance saw Parker average 24.8 disposals, 15.3 contested possessions, 5.2 tackles, 6.8 clearances, and 388.2 metres gained, while hitting the scoreboard with seven goals across her 12 games.    

Parker’s starring season saw her finish third across the entire competition for contested possessions, fifth for clearances, sixth for kicks, and just outside the top 10 for both disposals and metres gained.   

Parker’s remarkable season will give her every opportunity of adding to her growing trophy cabinet on Tuesday night.  

Tilly Lucas-Rodd 

A newcomer to the club in 2026, Lucas-Rodd could etch their name into club history following an impressive maiden season in orange and charcoal. 

Spending time both down back and through the middle, Lucas-Rodd ended their debut season as a GIANT sitting second at the club in disposals at an average of 22.5 per game, with only Parker finding more of the footy this season.  

A smart footballer who brought plenty of composure to the side, Lucas-Rodd was one of the league’s best ball winners out of the back half in 2026 and their ability to impact the game will no doubt have them well placed to feature strongly in Tuesday’s count. 

Having won the Hawks best and fairest in 2023, Lucas-Rodd will be looking to join an elite group of players to win an AFLW best and fairest at multiple clubs on Tuesday night.  

Tarni Evans   

An exciting young star of the competition, Evans is looking to claim her first Gabrielle Trainor Medal after another impressive season in orange and charcoal.  

Previously one of the league’s best young defenders before transitioning forward in the back half of 2024, Evans continued to star ahead of the footy in 2026 where her work rate and her classy left foot saw her regularly impact games. 

A focal point in attack for Cam Bernasconi’s side, Evans took out the club’s goalkicking tally for a second straight season with 11 majors across the 12 games. 

Kicking multiple goals in three games and at least one goal in six of her 12 games, Evans’ strong season ahead of the ball certainly has her well placed to vote heavily and potentially claim a maiden club champion award. 

Georgia Garnett 

Garnett continued to be one of her side’s most reliable and important players with another strong campaign in 2026. 

Also looking to take out her first Gabrielle Trainor Medal, Garnett’s ability to compete ahead of the footy and provide an outlet for her defenders through her high work rate saw her consistently contribute across the season. 

Garnett’s running power and ability to cover ground across half forward was again a highlight of her game in 2026, with the 25-year-old finishing third across the entire competition for marks on the lead. 

Her ability to get involved in scoring chains and hit the scoreboard, as well as play as a spare behind the ball at times, saw Garnett further establish herself as a key piece of the side.  

Impactful wherever she’s utilised, Garnett’s strong campaign should see her poll strongly on Tuesday night. 

Jess Doyle 

One of her side’s and the league’s most improved players, Doyle displayed her versatility and talent playing several positions for Cam Bernasconi’s side this season.  

Traditionally a dangerous medium forward in years gone by, Doyle was also deployed as both a backup ruck and as a medium defender in 2026 – with her role down back in particular seeing her blossom. 

Displaying a fantastic ability to read the play from behind the ball, Doyle’s role down back saw her establish herself as an incredibly impactful intercept defender, particularly across the second half of the season.  

Doyle’s breakout campaign as a defender was highlighted by a statement performance against the Suns in round 12 in which she set a new GIANTS record with an incredible 17 intercept possessions. She also pulled down a whopping eight intercept marks, the fifth-most in a single game in AFLW history. 

While not yet as established as some of her aforementioned teammates, Doyle’s improvement across 2026 should see her rewarded with a solid showing on Tuesday night. 

Cambridge McCormick 

After securing a maiden All Australian blazer last year, Cambridge McCormick backed that up with another impressive campaign in 2026.  

One of the league’s most versatile defenders, McCormick again excelled in her ability to both rebound and to shut down her direct opponent. 

McCormick’s strong campaign saw her up last year’s All-Australian figures of 16.6 disposals per game to a career-high 18.1 this season – placing her fourth at the GIANTS behind only Parker, Lucas-Rodd, and Beeson.  

She also upped her rebound 50s from 2.4 per game from last year to 5.5 in 2026, placing her third across the entire competition in that stat.  

A driving force behind the ball for the GIANTS and crucial to their ball movement, McCormick endured another fantastic season in 2026 and will be sure to poll strongly on Tuesday night.   

To keep up to date with all the results from the 2026 Gabrielle Trainor Medal on Monday night, follow @GWSGIANTSAFLW on Instagram.