Muslim footy star's incredible moment after Christchurch terror attack
Haneen Zreika was playing with a heavy heart on Friday night after the mosque shooting in Christchurch.
Zreika is the first muslim player in the history of the AFLW, and wore a black armband along with the rest of her GWS Giants teammates.
And she also happened to kick her very-first goal – an incredible moment just hours after 49 people lost their lives in Christchurch.
Zreika said she appreciated the support the Giants gave her following the tragic events.
The teenager said she was proud to be part of a club like GWS.
“I’m very proud, and especially (after) what happened today in New Zealand, they got around me and they all wore black armbands,” she said.
“And I think that’s just so beautiful.”
.@HaneenZreika is the first Muslim woman to play #AFLW. Tonight we all wear black armbands to stand with her, and all those in New Zealand, after today’s horrors. Everyone has the right to be who they are without fear. pic.twitter.com/gsModcM0uX
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 15, 2019
She later said it was difficult to prepare for the game after the terror attack.
“Very hard to prepare for tonight’s game but alhumdillah a great win,” she wrote on Twitter.
“My prayers and thoughts are with my brothers and sisters in Christchurch.
“New Zealand is a great country with great people. Thank you to my @GWSGIANTS family for the support.”
Very hard to prepare for tonight’s game but alhumdillah a great win. My prayers and thoughts are with my brothers and sisters in Christchurch. New Zealand is a great country with great people. Thank you to my @GWSGIANTS family for the support. #ChristchurchTERROR https://t.co/dXF2kH3e1L
— Haneen Zreika (@HaneenZreika) March 15, 2019
Giants’ shock win
Geelong are in danger of missing out on an AFLW finals berth in their debut season after suffering a shock 31-point loss to lowly GWS.
The Giants dominated the disposal count 217-172 and also finished with more inside 50s (28-22), contested possessions (113-104), tackles (69-67) and clearances (25-22) in a dominant display.
The contest failed to reach any great heights in the first half, but GWS capitalised on Geelong’s poor disposal efficiency, especially exiting defence, to score goals in the opening term though Christina Bernardi and Zreika to take a 13-point lead at half-time.
The Giants looked slightly more dangerous going forward in the scrappy slugfest, restricting the Cats to just two behinds in the opening two quarters in perfect conditions.
But after a goalless second period, the dour struggle dissipated as the Giants’ superior pressure helped them bust open the game.
The hosts booted four of the last five majors, including Bernardi’s second, to run away with the game as the shell-shocked Cats finished the game with a scoreless final term and saw their finals dream take a massive hit.
with AAP
