A five-point victory over Melbourne, their only win, in soaking conditions became the highlight of an otherwise bleak season.

After a disappointing AFLW season, the Giants have done their best to refurbish their ranks, enlisting talent from interstate. Now with a new head coach at the helm, Alan McConnell, many are expecting vast improvements in 2018.

Ashleigh Guest is perhaps the most notable omission from the Giants’ after operating among the midfield’s supporting cast where she ranked second in the side for total tackles.

Guest’s departure was the ultimate expense paid for promising young key defender Pepa Randall from Melbourne, who is sure to make an impact where the Giants struggled last year.

Alicia Eva also made her way over from Collingwood in a move which suited both player and team, giving Eva the chance to play a more pivotal role, whilst also providing the Giants with a wealth of talent having finished second in the Magpies’ best and fairest in 2017. GWS also bolstered their key posts with Maddy Boyd and Rebecca Privitelli, who again provide depth in areas of concern for the team.

The Giants loom as noticeable wild cards this season. After offseason changes, including a highly touted draft class, many expect the Giants to enhance their repute on the field. GWS will be put to the pace early with games against Melbourne and Carlton in the opening weeks, which offer tough schedules, however, are the perfect measuring stick to adjudicate the Giants’ improvement.

There is considerable hype surrounding the team this year, and while most like to root for the underdog, we’re yet to see the on-field improvement from the team. A convincing win against Brisbane in their only practice match offers a fair indication, yet the only way to properly analyse the team is of course in the season proper. Are they able to live up to the hype?

Strengths

Jessica Dal Pos emerged as one of the league’s best two-way midfielders last season, ranking second for tackles and 15th for average disposals in the league. However, throughout the season this often came without a tangible support, who often lacked the speed and tenacity. Aggressive in rectifying this, the Giants have improved drastically. The additions of Eva and Renee Forth to the line-up boast significant upgrades, while the likes of Emma Swanson and Courtney Gum provide class and depth as respective outside and inside midfielders.

Challenge 

A lot went wrong for the Giants in 2017. The team ranked last in disposals, contested possessions, marks inside 50, inside 50s and goals scored – where they averaged a mere 2.3 per game. The Giants have improved in these areas in the offseason on paper, but their biggest challenge will be their ability to translate that onto the field, and to make a significant impact on the scoreboard. While injuries to Louise Stephenson and loss of other players didn’t help last year, this season the Giants’ forward stocks are all new. In a seven-game season, they simply can’t afford for players to ease their transition otherwise another unpromising year lies ahead.

Key player: Renee Forth

Renee Forth was the highest profile of the Giants’ marquee signings last season, but after suffering an ACL injury in the lead up to the season now, she is fit, back, and adds considerable wealth and experience to a midfield core. Many considered her a top-20 women’s footballer prior to her injury, and her imminent debut for the Giants will be met with equal parts anticipation and excitement.

One to watch: Cora Staunton

Interstate acquisitions came at a plenty, yet it was the recruitment of Ireland native Cora Staunton who looms as the biggest x-factor for the team. The 36-year old enjoyed a fruitful career in Gaelic football, winning seven championships in total as well as being an 11-time All-Star. The Giants are likely to play Staunton as a crafty forward inside 50, but two goals in the practice match against Brisbane in her first ever game indicates that it shouldn’t take her too long to adapt.