Women of GWS play first game at home against Dockers

Cabramatta AFL star Mai Nguyen debuted for the Western Sydney Giants on Saturday.

Maddy Collier and Cabramatta’s Mai Nguyen from the women's GWS headquarters in Homebush. Pic Brett Costello

• Wests lure rookie with $1.4 mil deal
• Mounties aim high

Cabramatta AFL star Mai Nguyen debuted for the Western Sydney Giants on Saturday against the Carlton Blues in the Women’s AFL at Melbourne’s Ikon Park.

Returning from a foot injury, Nguyen — a physiotherapist at Liverpool — said she was hesitant at the start of the week.

“I was nervous during the week but as soon as game day game came, I was keen to get out on the field,” she said.

Even without their top two marquees and priority player, the Giants gave the Blues a run for its money in a thriller, finally going down by only 13 points.

Mai Nguyen from the GWS Giants. Photo: Tim Clapin

In front of a vocal crowd of nearly 8000, Nguyen said she was hoping to get the same show of support at the Giants first home game this weekend.

The girls take on the Fremantle Dockers at Blacktown International Sportspark at 12.05pm on Saturday.

“It feels like I’m playing in my own back yard when we’re in the heart of western Sydney,” Nguyen said.

It’s also the first time in 11 years of her beloved sport that Nguyen’s mum and dad will watch her play.

“My brothers are going to make sure they get there okay,” she said.

Details: afl.com.au/
womens.