The GIANTS have made just one change to their side to face the Adelaide Crows with Taylah Davies replacing the injured Nicola Barr.
As reported on Thursday, Davies will take the place of Barr for Sunday’s clash against the Crows at Hisense Stadium.
Barr suffered a hamstring strain in last Saturday’s win over Richmond and will miss the next three games.
“It’s a mandatory change as a result of Nicola’s hamstring,” GIANTS AFL Women’s coach Alan McConnell said.
“It’s disappointing for Nic because she’s probably having her best season in the history of the competition, but it’s a great opportunity for Taylah who has similar physical attributes to Nicola so we’re keen to see what she brings to the party.”
Davies, who joined the GIANTS as an other-sport rookie ahead of the 2019 season, has been in strong form on the training track for the GIANTS and in her second season of AFLW has developed strongly since making her debut in round four, 2019.
“I think she’s a more composed player and has a better understanding of the game and certainly more skilful,” McConnell said.
“We’ll look to see the competitiveness she has in her character come to the fore on Sunday.”
While the sporting world has been largely halted by the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, McConnell said that spirits are high in the GIANTS camp as they prepare to travel to Adelaide.
“As much as possible it’s business as usual,” he said.
“What happens inside these four walls in the changerooms is business as usual and our preparation in that context is normal but there are a few other precautions around the group.”
Sunday’s game shapes as a crucial clash with a GIANTS win putting them two games clear of Adelaide on the Conference A ladder. A Loss would see Adelaide equal on points with the GIANTS and stay in contention of making finals.
Adelaide Crows v GIANTS
Sunday, March 15 at 3:10pm (AEDT)
Hisense Stadium, Adelaide
FB: Pepa Randall, Tanya Hetherington
HB: Lisa Steane, Elle Bennetts, Annalyse Lister
C: Jessica Dal Pos, Britt Tully, Aimee Schmidt
HF: Sarah Halvorsen, Rebecca Privitelli, Jodie Hicks
FF: Cora Staunton, Jacinda Barclay
Ruck: Jess Allan, Alyce Parker, Rebecca Beeson
Interchange: Haneen Zreika, Erin McKinnon, Tait Mackrill, Louise Stephenson, Taylah Davies
Emergencies: Emily Goodsir, Georgia Garnett
In: Davies
Out: Nicola Barr (Hamstring)
