AFLW news 2024: ‘Best choice’: Giants stalwart Rebecca Beeson named as new captain

Giants stalwart Rebecca Beeson has been named as the club’s new AFLW captain ahead of season 2024, with coach Cam Bernasconi declaring her the ‘best choice for the job’.

Lachlan McKirdy

@LMcKirdy7

less than 2 min read

July 24, 2024 - 2:59PM

News Sport Network

Katherine Smith and Rebecca Beeson at the Giants’ AFLW Leadership Group Announcement. Picture: Ryan Jones/GWS GIANTS.

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Giants stalwart Rebecca Beeson has been named as the club’s new AFLW captain, becoming just the third skipper in GWS history after Amanda Farrugia and Alicia Eva.

Following Eva’s decision to step down at the end of last year after five seasons in the role, Beeson was voted as the new captain by the Giants’ playing group ahead of her ninth AFLW campaign.

She won the Gabrielle Trainor Medal as the club’s best and fairest in 2019, and last year recommitted to the club on a four-year deal that will see her stay at GWS until 2027.

A determined midfielder, Beeson grew up on the Central Coast and played for UNSW before joining the Giants as the 32nd pick of the 2016 AFLW draft. She made a name for herself around the stoppages and began to come into her own during the 2021 season when she averaged 21.7 disposals a game.

Alicia Eva and Rebecca Beeson on Tuesday. Picture: By Ryan Jones/GWS GIANTS.

However, the next year saw Beeson struggle with repeated concussions. She spoke to this masthead last season about coming to terms with never playing footy again as she grappled with getting her quality of life back.

Yet the 27-year-old worked harder than ever, returning last season and capping off her comeback with the honour of being chosen to lead her peers.

“I’m thrilled for Bec, she’s the perfect person to lead our program into a new era,” head coach Cam Bernasconi said.

“The role of captain is not just about what happens on the field but it’s about setting the standards every day off it and the values you live by.

“Bec is a fantastic example of exactly what our club and playing group represent and the best choice to lead our young group into the future.”

Beeson will be joined in the Giants’ leadership group by some of their best young stars Alyce Parker and Tarni Evans, as well as the experienced Katherine Smith who has been named vice-captain for 2024.