AFTER a number of weeks of improved performances but no points to show for it, GWS finally got on the 2023 AFL Women’s winners list with a 20-point win over West Coast.

One huge part of that win was young star Zarlie Goldsworthy, who slotted through three majors in a stellar 17 disposal performance.

Goldsworthy was already having a stellar second season in the AFLW, but in the last few weeks her game has diversified and that has seen her game grow even further.

She has moved into more of a midfield/forward role, and not only has her game grown but the move has proven to be so valuable for the Giants.

Goldsworthy is certainly not built like a traditional midfielder, but her strength in the contest has provided a handy boost for the Giants, whose midfielders tend to be on the smaller, leaner and quicker side.

ThAT strength was on show yesterday from the very first centre bounce, where she was able to push through the contest and win the first clearance of the game, and clearances is something that the Giants have really struggled with in 2023.

It is also clear that she has translated some of her skills and components of her game as a forward into her play as a midfield, particularly around using her body to position herself to pick the ball up of the deck and keep her opponent out of the way.

Unfortunately for the Giants her goals did not come until the second half but she did score a few behinds early.

Her goals did come at a crucial time though, as they helped the Giants accelerate from the Eagles after going into the half time break level on the scoreboard off the back of a second quarter comeback.

Her first goal came about five minutes into the third quarter, and came off the back of a strong leading mark, she went back and kicked form about 40m out and slotted it straight through. It was also the first goal of the game at that particular end of the ground, which was the end against the wind.

Her second goal came after the three quarter time siren, and was very similar to her first goal but was from only about 35m out.

Her final goal came early in the last term, where she received the ball in the goal square from Alyce Parker and slotted it straight through, and remarkably did so while still a bit ginger after some friendly fire in a marking contest.

Her improvement has certainly not gone unnoticed by her coach Cam Bernasconi, who was full of praise post-match for the young star.

“I really rate Zarlie. She’s so important for us, and good players stand up in big moments and big games and in pressure situations,” he said.

“That’s why they’re the best players and I think Zarlie kicked three goals three today and did an even split mid/forward, so she’s a player I think will continue to just get better and better and she’s always looking for improvements in her game and she’ll enjoy this win as well because she’s such a competitor.”