Cross-code star Taylah Davies returns to Canberra with GWS Giants

The AFLW club's comeback marks a homecoming of sorts for forward Davies, having spent two years with the Canberra Giants in the Australian Netball League.

She was the second Giant to cross over from netball to AFLW in the 2019 season, with teammate Elle Bennetts making a successful transition the year prior.

But Saturday's clash with the Brisbane Lions at Manuka Oval will be her first AFLW fixture in the capital, having missed out on selection when the Giants last played at the venue in 2019.

She's looking forward to wearing orange in Canberra once more, saying it's special to continue her connection with the capital - just in a different sport.

"The last time I was down there it was with the Canberra Giants when we were playing in the ANL. I loved coming down to Canberra and I still have some really good memories," Davies said.

"It's really cool that I've already got a few messages from the netball girls in Canberra saying they're coming out to the game.

"No matter what I'm wearing, if it's that netball dress or if I've got my footy boots on, I'm just pumped to get back down there. I'm Giants through and through, that's for sure."

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Davies still splits her time between netball and Australian football, with the 26-year-old midcourter playing for the South Coast Blaze in the NSW Premier League.

But before then, her focus is on the Giants' bid to make the AFLW finals with the team sitting 10^th on the ladder post the half-way mark.

Alan McConnell's outfit is determined to bounce back from the 25-point to the Western Bulldogs and keep their finals dream alive, with Davies saying they're looking to draw on their home-crowd advantage at Manuka Oval.

The Brisbane clash will be the Giants' first fixture in Canberra since August 2019, when 11,741 fans watch Hawthorn claim a historic victory as snow fell over Manuka Oval.

"We're pretty disappointed with last weeks' result, we're very excited to come back to Canberra and be in front of our fans," Davies said.

"We absolutely love coming down and playing here. Just to put out a better performance.

"We've had a really good week out on the track, we've trained really well. I'm excited, we can't wait to get out there and improve on last week."

Ahead of the Giants is a tough Brisbane outfit that's riding the high of ending the Fremantle Docker's record 11-match winning streak, beating the Western Australians by nine points last week.

The Lions have named an unchanged side, while GWS has omitted Bec Privitelli, Lou Stephensen and local product Tarni Evans for the round-six clash.

Lisa Steane and Aimee Schmidt have been recalled, while key back Libby Graham will make her debut.

"Brisbane is in really good form, coming off the back of beating Fremantle last week," Davies said.

"There's no better challenge for us and we're excited to take it on, doing everything we can to put out a really strong performance as we can."

AFLW Round six

Saturday: Giants v Brisbane Lions at Manuka Oval, 3.10pm.