Giants get on the board
The GWS Giants have recorded their first win of the AFLW season with a 10-point win in wet conditions at Blacktown Stadium, NSW on Saturday 13 February.
Scoring was made difficult with consistent rain around, but two first quarter goals was enough for the Giants to squeak by 2.18 (18) to 1.2 (8).
Alyce Parker was again the standout for the Giants with 24 disposals, six clearances and five tackles, while Giants skipper Alicia Eva and Taylah Davies were the goal scorers.
The Giants next match is against the West Coast Eagles at Blacktown on Sunday 21 February 5.10pm.
McKellar extends until 2022
Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar has extended with the club until the end of the 2022 and is keen to continue building on the success he’s achieved in the capital since taking the reins in 2018.
McKellar made the announcement a week before his side kicks off their title defence against the Western Force for round one of the 2021 Super Rugby AU season on Friday 19 February in Perth.
He described the decision to stay in the capital as a no-brainer.
“There was absolutely no reason to consider going anywhere,” he said. “I don’t think coaches are too different to players; you like to have all the off-field business sorted out so we can just focus on what’s important, and that’s February 19.”
2021 will be the 44-year-old’s fourth season in charge at the club with the side winning the inaugural Super Rugby AU title last year.
Guler re-signs with Raiders
Canberra Raiders front rower Emre Guler has signed a two-year extension to stay with the club until the end of 2023.
The 23-year-old’s best season came in 2019, which saw him feature in the Raiders Grand Final side. He was also named on the bench for the U23 Junior Australian side.
He began 2020 in strong form before a serious ankle injury ended his season after just eight matches.
Guler said he was looking forward to getting back on the park this season, although acknowledged it will be a challenge to secure a spot in the starting 17.
“I’m really happy to get it done,” said Guler. “I just want to look forward to training hard and getting myself ready for round one.”
“It’s good to get it out of the way and focus on footy now.
“You look at the [forward pack] on paper, there are such good names there.
“It’s going to be a tough year, there’s a lot of competition and you can just tell that here at training.
“I’m hoping to have a strong trial and put myself in a position to get back into the team,” he said.
Kyrgios exits Australian Open
After leading two sets to love, Canberra product Nick Kyrgios went on to lose to third seed Dominic Thiem 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round of the Australian Open men’s singles on Friday 12 February. On Saturday, Kyrgios combined with Thanasi Kokkinakis in the men’s doubles to trump Lloyd Harris and Julian Knowle in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, before losing to fourth seeds Wesley Koolhof and Lukasz Kubot 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday.
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