Sydney Swans joined the rebel VFLW competition in a five-game guest stint in 2024 and showed it has the tools to be a major player in the upcoming NAB AFLW season
BY THE NUMBERS
W-L-D %: 4-1 (345.5%)
Players used: 31
AFLW players used: 26 (98 matches)
Played every match: 9 (Montana Beruldsen, Giselle Davies, Sarah Grunden, Montana Ham, Cynthia Hamilton, Kiara Hillier, Tanya Kennedy, Paige Sheppard, Eliza Vale)
VFLW debutants: 17 (Giselle Davies 5 matches, Montana Ham 5, Cynthia Hamilton 5, Tanya Kennedy 5, Holly Cooper 4, Paris McCarthy 4, Alice Mitchell 4, Ella Heads 3, Sofia Hurley 3, Ruby Sargent-Wilson 3, Brooke Bailey 2, Imogen Brown 2, Ally Morphett 2, Senna Gulden 1, Emma Juneja 1, Abbey Martin 1, Ellie Veerhuis 1)
STAT LEADERS
(Averages – Minimum 3 matches)
Disposals: Laura Gardiner 41.0, Montana Ham 21.8, Sofia Hurley 19.3
Contested Possessions: Laura Gardiner 16.0, Montana Ham 9.4, Sofia Hurley 9.3
Kicks: Laura Gardiner 16.0, Sofia Hurley 11.3, Ella Heads 11.3
Handballs: Laura Gardiner 25.0, Montana Ham 10.6, Paige Sheppard 8.4
Marks: Laura Gardiner 5.3, Bella Smith 5.2, Montana Ham 4.8
Tackles: Sofia Hurley 8.0, Laura Gardiner 7.0, Tanya Kennedy 5.4
Hitouts: Lexi Hamilton 17.0, Giselle Davies 11.2, Bella Smith 2.5
Clearances: Laura Gardiner 6.0, Chloe Molloy 4.3, Sofia Hurley 4.0
Inside-50s: Sofia Hurley 5.0, Laura Gardiner 4.0, Montana Ham 3.6
Rebound-50s: Ella Heads 4.0, Ruby Sargent-Wilson 2.0, Kiara Hillier 1.8
Goalkickers: Bella Smith 9.5, Cynthia Hamilton 9.2, Montana Beruldsen 8.6
What went right: Most things. The Swans would have got everything they wanted out of their five-game guest stint – games into their stars and their youngsters, confidence from a series of big wins, and a chance to work on game plans ahead of the AFLW season.
What went wrong: The last game against Collingwood. The Swans beat up on VFLW opposition for four games but the Magpies brought most of their A-team and their A-game and secured four crucial points with a scarcely believable finish when they booted two goals in the final two minutes.
Summary: Sydney wanted to give its squad a few games to continue their development ahead of a 2024 AFLW season where rivals clubs will be aware of their capabilities. Positives can even be found in the solitary defeat, with the Swans learning they will be made to pay if they relax at any point against AFLW-quality opposition.
Grade: 7/10