AFLW news: Alicia Eva, Rebecca Beeson on GWS Giants’ leadership handover

Alicia Eva says handing GWS Giants’ captaincy to Rebecca Beeson was a “simple” decision. Now, the pair are desperate to deliver on the club’s high expectations.

The GWS Giants are ready to draw a line in the sand.

Despite being one of the AFLW’s inaugural sides, the club is yet to find the consistency in the competition they so desperately crave with just one finals appearance to their name.

The players admit there is a sense of urgency to turn their form around. And as they prepare for their third season under coach Cam Bernasconi, there is confidence that 2024 could be the start of a new chapter.

“I think as a playing group we are impatient now, and I hope that’s what our supporters hear and feel too because we want to see results,” Alicia Eva said.

“I think the important thing with this group is there has been continuity with Berna’s new system over the past two seasons.

“We are very young and we have had a bit of list turnover this year again. But what we have been able to do is maintain the core group of second and third-year players who know Berna’s system. So the expectation is there is greater application to that system.

“The expectation is there’s greater football IQ. That’s what can happen with a young list, you don’t have a heap of footy experience and that certainly has been a challenge in the past.”

It’s a changing of the guard at the Giants with Rebecca Beeson taking over as AFLW captain. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Eva has been the figurehead of the club for many years. Just the second Giants AFLW captain after Amanda Farrugia, the 33-year-old made the decision after last season to step down from her role.

Plenty of factors played a part as she looks ahead to the next part of her life while jugglinga coaching role with the Giants’ men’s side. But there’s also a sense of understanding the ever-changing needs of this young team.

“One thing I’m big on, you want your captain and your leaders to be present,” she said. “That’s not to say I’m not present with the group, but I knew a lot of time would be going into other areas of my life.

“Particularly with a very young group and we do have a lot of girls that are from interstate, what I’ve tried to be in the past is someone that’s always been available, at some points probably to my own detriment in terms of preparation.

“I felt really comfortable that stepping aside means that I can still lead in an informal way, but be able to support the new leaders coming through while being an active participant in the playing group.”

It’s been a long road for Beeson but she will get the chance to lead the club she was drafted by eight years ago in 2024. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

One of the reasons she felt so comfortable is that she’s handing over the reigns to another stalwart of the club, Rebecca Beeson.

The 27-year-old was unanimously chosen by her teammates as the captain for 2024 and it’s an honour she’s still coming to terms with. Following a year where just playing footy again was a relief after repeated concussions threatened her career, she’s now been able to dedicate more time to guiding the club to the next level.

“Just thinking about the journey I’ve been on, the ups and downs over the past few years, it’s huge to be voted (captain) by the group,” Beeson said.

“It was a really long rehab process to get back to round one last year. There was a bit of nervousness and anxiety around full contact and playing W games. This season, I’ve been in full training essentially from day one.

“I think we’re building a really strong culture, we’re a really connected group. We’ve got to stick together.”

“The whole group trusts her,” Eva added. “A lot of people were asking the question of who comes next, but for me it was simple, it was Bec Beeson.”

The pair won’t be limited to a change of roles off the field in 2024. Beeson is returning to the midfield to play on-ball while Eva is set to be deployed as fiery small forward – “She’s a real Energizer Bunny for us, she’s a barometer for the group,” Beeson said.

Eva, the Giants’ ‘Energizer Bunny’ is ready to lead from the forward line this season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And while their responsibilities might look different this year, both remain solely focused on getting the club back on a winning path.

That starts against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday in Canberra. In an 11-game season, getting four competition points in the bag early is vital. And while it’s important not to get too focused on the fact the Dogs won last year’s wooden spoon, all the Giants’ energy has been centred on a round one victory.

“We feel good, we back our system,” Beeson said. “It’s important you try and get a good start to the year and getting that win helps you build a bit of momentum.

“I think the Doggies will be a really good first game for us.”

“I don’t have the C next to my name this year, but I’m so keen to get down to Canberra,” Eva added.

“I think Berna wants me to be chief energy bringer in the forward line. I don’t know if that’s the correct term, but I’m really looking forward to it.”