Haneen Zreika determined to finally make her AFLW debut in 2019
After being re-drafted by the GWS Giants for the 2019 season, Haneen Zreika is more determined than ever to finally make her AFLW debut
In this exclusive column for NewsLocal, Auburn 19-year-old Haneen Zreika talks about pre-season with the GWS Giants and how motivated she is to make her AFLW debut in 2019.
Pre-season is going well. It’s my second as a Giants player and I’m feeling fitter and stronger than ever.
As a group, we’re really happy with where we’re at when it comes to our fitness and our skills, even though we’re always looking to improve.
We’ve been giving it our all on the training track, day in and day out despite the incredible changes in weather.
Our first day back at training in 2019 on Saturday, January 8 saw the temperature at the WestConnex Centre in Sydney Olympic Park hit 36 degrees and 45 per cent humidity while we were training, then on Monday it was just 22 degrees and raining!
Despite these challenges, we continue to push ourselves to our limits. Our conditioning staff make sure we’re always well hydrated and I can’t tell you how good ice baths feel after we’re done with training.
Our coach Alan McConnell is also quick to remind us that we’ll face weather similar to this during the year and we can’t ever use heat or rain as an excuse to fail.
I’m extremely motivated this year to succeed, not only as a team but personally.
Last year I was a rookie and didn’t play a game. This year I’m on the senior list and I’m working hard to make my debut.
I’m really striving to play my first game this year alongside a great bunch of girls. Now I’m just counting down the days until that first siren sounds and the season starts.
The GWS Giants play their first AFLW home game against North Melbourne at 7.15pm on Friday, February 8 at Drummoyne Oval.
Entry is free.
Car hits boy, 5, in Sydney’s west
Emergency crews have descended on a street in Sydney’s west after a car struck a boy, leaving him seriously injured.
Man charged after alleged assault of rideshare driver
A man has been charged after two men were wanted for allegedly assaulting a rideshare driver and stealing his car in Sydney’s northwest. Watch the arrest.