In her first season as an AFLW player, Sarah Halvorsen was not expecting much, if any, game time. But after watching the first four rounds from the sidelines she made a dream debut on Saturday, scoring in an important and historic 7.14 (56) to 1.5 (11) win for GWS Giants over Richmond in Wagga Wagga. The Newcastle 24-year-old joined the Giants with pick 61 of the 2019 AFLW Draft after three seasons with Black Diamond League side Newcastle City. On Tuesday, Halvorsen was named to play in the must-win match against the Tigers. She replaced injured forward Yvonne Bonner in the side with GWS coach Alan McConnell saying he was "excited about what she'll bring on the weekend and what she'll bring going forward". She is a versatile tall, being able to play back or forward. "I was just doing my best at training to get a game and was still thinking any game time was a positive, so it was exciting to get a call-up," Halvorsen, who lives in Newcastle and commutes to training, said. "I was excited all week and just looking forward to it." She started the match and in the second quarter was lining up her first ever AFLW goal. From straight in front of the goals Halvorsen sent the ball sailing through the uprights for what she described as "a lucky goal". "It was a free kick. They said she didn't handball it correctly when she was trying to get rid of it. Because I tackled her, I got the kick," Halvorsen said. "I was pretty nervous. It was a different, taking one at this level, but I just tried to stay calm." The 45-point win elevated the Giants back into third spot on the ladder in Conference A after the Crows were belted by North Melbourne earlier Saturday. It was the first time the club has scored more than 50 points in a game. Related content: "It was one we needed to win," Halvorsen said. "We've won three now and lost two so it was an important one and we've got a few more important ones to come. We're in the top three now but we've got to stay there." GWS play fifth-placed Adelaide next round and will be chasing back-to-back victories for the first time this year to consolidate their top-three position. There are three rounds remaining before finals. For Halvorsen, although pleased with her first outing at AFLW level, she is still not taking anything for granted. "There are always things you can do better and change but I was pretty happy just to get a go," she said. "I'm still just taking any game time as a positive and taking it week by week. If I get another game, then awesome, if not, I'll just keep trying." Port Stephens product Lisa Steane made her AFLW for the Giants in round two and has retained her place in the squad. The defeat continued what has been a miserable first season for Richmond, who remain winless after five rounds. SIGN UP TODAY: For the best coverage of sport in Newcastle and the Hunter, subscribe to the newcastleherald.com.au/lovesport for unlimited digital access