Former No. 1 choose Izzy Huntington is on monitor to make her GWS debut this season in a serious increase for the Giants as they attempt to change star goalkicker Cora Staunton.
Huntington is recovering from a 3rd knee reconstruction and has not performed since spherical 1 two seasons in the past, with GWS captain Alicia Eva saying the aspect was “incredibly excited” for the previous Western Bulldogs best-and-fairest to make her return.
When the 24-year-old is cleared to play she is going to add essential firepower to a GWS ahead line with out the retired Staunton, who booted simply shy of 1 / 4 of all targets in Giants historical past with 55 in 50 video games.
The Irishwoman sits third on the all-time record of AFLW goalkickers, however the subsequent most prolific scorer on the Giants’ record is Nicola Barr with simply 9 profession majors.
Eva mentioned there was nonetheless no agency timeline for Huntington’s return, however she can be an essential attacking weapon alongside younger duo Georgia Garnett and Zarlie Goldsworthy.
“It’s a big hole Cora leaves in the sense that she’s kicked the majority of our goals, but we knew that we needed to be more dynamic even last year,” Eva mentioned.
“It’s incredibly exciting having Izzy almost there – I know it’s been a really long rehab for her … she’s chomping at the bit to get going. We can’t put a date on when that will be, hopefully it’s early in the season.
Star midfielder Alyce Parker has spent time playing as a deep forward in the Giants’ two practice matches and had a significant impact, while Eva hopes Garnett can be an attacking force closer to goal after a breakout campaign in season 7.
“Georgia Garnett stepped up, she was the No.1 contested mark in the competition last year, so if we can get her clunking those marks closer to goal and having shots on goal, that’s a win for us,” she mentioned.
“Zarlie Goldsworthy, I touched on her earlier – she’ll spend some time forward, and she’s been standing on heads and taking speccies at training, so I can’t wait to see what she does.”
Arch rival Sydney is but to report its first AFLW win, however a pair of spectacular pre-season victories in opposition to Gold Coast and Carlton has instilled confidence throughout the ranks, in line with co-captain Chloe Molloy.
The former Collingwood star mentioned the gamers had been “staying pretty humble” after the 2 outcomes however constructing perception they may break by for the numerous milestone early within the season.
“It is exciting, but we’re staying pretty humble about it. The biggest learning for us is we have a winning game style,” Molloy mentioned.
“Our first win, we’ll celebrate it when it comes, but winning these builds the internal confidence after not having that taste of victory last season … (for them to come) against sides that have been established and around for a while now, we’re stoked.”
The Swans and Giants will face off in spherical 1 on Sunday, September 3 at North Sydney Oval.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
