Emma Swanson ruled out with injury for GWS Giants’ second straight AFLW game

THE Giants women’s team can’t take a trick with marquee player Emma Swanson ruled out for the second week in a row with a hamstring injury.

Emma Swanson is out of this weekend’s game with a hamstring injury. Picture: Mark Evans

THE GWS women’s team can’t take a trick with marquee player Emma Swanson ruled out for the second week in a row with a hamstring injury.

The Giants face ladder leaders Carlton at Ikon Park in Melbourne on Saturday in search of their first win with coach Tim Schmidt yet to see either of his marquees take the field after Renee Forth suffered a season-ending knee injury before Christmas.

“It is a big loss,” Schmidt said.

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“If you take the two best players out of any team it hurts. But it does allow other players to step up and perform, it tests our depth which is good to see where we’re at.”

Swanson was very close to proving her fitness but with the AFLW season only seven games long another injury could be disastrous.

“If it was a grand final I would probably pick her,” Schmidt said.

Swanson missed the season opener with a hamstring injury and will sit out this week too.. pic Mark Evans

“The big fear is if she played this weekend and hurt her hamstring again then she would be out for the season. If we give her another week Emma will be 100 per cent for next weekend.”

While they will again be without Swanson, Mai Nguyen, Ellie Brush and Steph Walker will play their first games for the club.

“It was frustrating and disappointing to miss out on the first game but watching them was very inspiring,” Nguyen said.

“I was proud of how they performed. I haven’t thought about much else all week, it’s been difficult to concentrate on my work.

Nguyen’s inclusion will give Schmidt plenty of flexibility.

“I love having Mai back in,” Schmidt said.

Giants players (from left) Rene Forth, Emma Swanson and Nicola Barr. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“She is very smart and versatile she can play across half back and through the midfield and gives us another rotation. She finds the footy and is a good user of the ball.”

Brush comes into the team after captaining Canberra United in last weekend’s W League semi-final loss to Melbourne City.

“Ellie did really well in the trial match in Brisbane and I’m excited to see what she can do,” Schmidt said.

“She will get stronger every week and ads some extra speed.”

Despite the 36-point margin against Adelaide, the Giants were able to take plenty out of their first-up loss.

They won the clearances 20-14 and the tackle count 62-55 and had plenty of chances in front of goal with inside 50s almost even at 21-23.

“The girls were disappointed after the game but we reviewed the game and I’ve got full confidence we’ll turn it around and put our best foot forward,” Schmidt said.

Originally published as Emma Swanson ruled out with injury for GWS Giants’ second straight AFLW game