Where and When: Blacktown International SportsPark, Sunday February 7, 5:10pm AEDT
Last time they met: The GIANTS and the Crows last officially met in round six of the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s Competition. The day was historic for the GIANTS as they defeated the two-time Premiers for the first time and also secured their first-ever finals berth. It was the first COVID-affected round, with the match at Hisense Stadium closed to the public. The GIANTS were without captain Alicia Eva and Adelaide-born ruck, Jess Allan; while Em Goodsir made her AFLW debut. Alyce Parker was outstanding for the GIANTS with 30 disposals. The two teams also met In January this year, for an extended squad practice match which saw the Crows win convincingly, 33 to 13.
TV and Online: All AFLW matches are available live on Foxtel, Kayo, the AFLW Online site, AFL Telstra TV App and on the AFLW and AFL Official Apps. GIANTS matches are also broadcast live into NSW and the ACT free-to-air on 7mate.
What it means for the GIANTS: After returning to Sydney earlier than expected, the team have finally returned to their homely surroundings after six weeks on the road. Round one brought with it a lot of emotions, as the GIANTS took the field for the first time and paid tribute to their former teammate Jacinda Barclay, who passed away last year. The GIANTS fell short to the Dockers in their opening round clash, in what some would describe as one of the tougher first round encounters. They fought hard for majority of the match thanks to leading performances from Alyce Parker, Bec Besson and Elle Bennetts and goals courtesy of Beeson, Bennetts, Aimee Schmidt and Taylah Davies. The GIANTS will be looking to get their first win on the board as they return to familiar territory at Blacktown International SportsPark.
Where’s the opposition at: The Crows come off a dominant opening-round win against the West Coast Eagles in Perth. With no 2020 Premier crowned due to the abrupt finish of the 2020 season, some may consider the Crows still the reigning Premiers, given they were the last team to hold up the Cup. The Crows and the GIANTS shared the same flight that landed back in Adelaide from Perth late on Sunday night. The Adelaide-based side were in a 14-day isolation before being granted an exemption to travel to Sydney for this weekend’s clash. Like the GIANTS, their preparations this week have looked slightly different.
The number: 3. The number on the back of 2020 Gabrielle Trainor Medallist Alyce Parker. Parker has resumed season 2021 the way she left 2020 with an impressive performance in round one last week. Parker topped the charts for the league in the opening round, equal-first in clearances and equal-first in disposals alongside teammate Bec Beeson. Given last week’s performance, as well as her impact during the last time these two teams met, Parker could be in for a little extra attention from the Crows midfield this week.
In the mix: Jess Allan returns to the squad this week after having to leave the hub setup due to ADFA commitments. The 185cm ruck and former Crow has played 10 games for the GIANTS after joining the Sydney side during the 2019 draft. Should selection work their way, this week could be the first time Allan and her older sister Sarah come up against each other in an AFLW match. Both sisters wear the number 39.
