FOR BRENNA Tarrant, the timing of Sydney's addition to the AFLW was "just right". Originally from New South Wales, she has spent the last three seasons on Melbourne's list developing as a person and player, and now returns to her home state as an inaugural Swan.

"We're sort of the last of the first in terms of expansion teams...which is really exciting. It's obviously going to be something engraved in our history," Tarrant told womens.afl.

Tarrant left home at 18 to pursue her footy dream and took some time to settle into her new home of Melbourne but managed to hit her stride both on and off the field. Standing at 174cm, she largely played as a key defender at AFLW level but has the ability to impact at either end of the ground, which is particularly handy in the women's game given the playing lists consist of just 30 people.

With 15 games under her belt, Tarrant arrived at the Swans as one of the most experienced players, but she is very aware that there is still improvement to be made in herself.

"I'm sort of just wanting to keep going the way I'm going, you know, I'm obviously still young, and I've still got plenty to work on myself. But obviously, leading where I can and if I think what I've learned is important, yeah, I might raise my voice," Tarrant said.

Focusing on a role, playing that role and, in turn, doing her bit for the team are Tarrant's main priorities.

This is something that Swans head coach Scott Gowans has instilled in his playing group, too. He's removing complications and making things simple so as to lighten the pressure and get the most out of his players.

"When you sort of go and say, 'Oh, I'm feeling overwhelmed, I have to do all this stuff' and he goes, 'No, this is your role, just play your role'," Tarrant said of Gowans.

"I think that's been really, really great. Just sort of toning down the nerves, and the stress of playing football for a new club and a new position as well. He's made it really, really easy."

It doesn't hurt, either, that she now dons the colours that she and her family have always supported, laughing that her family helped the Swans break the AFLW membership record before they had even signed a player.

"I think just about the whole family's become members...everyone's rallied around them."