Former No. 1 pick Izzy Huntington is on track to make her GWS debut this season in a major boost for the Giants as they try to replace star goalkicker Cora Staunton.
Huntington is recovering from a third knee reconstruction and has not played since round 1 two seasons ago, with GWS captain Alicia Eva saying the side was “incredibly excited” for the former Western Bulldogs best-and-fairest to make her return.
When the 24-year-old is cleared to play she will add important firepower to a GWS forward line without the retired Staunton, who booted just shy of a quarter of all goals in Giants history with 55 in 50 games.
The Irishwoman sits third on the all-time list of AFLW goalkickers, but the next most prolific scorer on the Giants’ list is Nicola Barr with just nine career majors.
Eva said there was still no firm timeline for Huntington’s return, but she would be an important attacking weapon alongside young 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 said.
“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 said.
“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 yet to record its first AFLW win, but a pair of impressive pre-season victories against Gold Coast and Carlton has instilled confidence within the ranks, according to co-captain Chloe Molloy.
The former Collingwood star said the players were “staying pretty humble” after the two results but building belief they could break through for the significant milestone early in 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 said.
“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 round 1 on Sunday, September 3 at North Sydney Oval.