GREATER Western Sydney's marquee women's players are prepared to roll up the sleeves and get stuck into growing the code in New South Wales.

West Australians Emma Swanson and Renee Forth will leave an Australian rules-mad state and cross the country to be part of the AFL's inaugural women's league next year in Western Sydney.

Two of WA’s most decorated female players hope to add just as much off the field as they will on when they represent the Giants in the eight-team league in 2017.

Swanson, 21, told AFL.com.au that the chance to showcase the game in NSW and the Giants' second home in Canberra was a major reason behind her decision to join GWS.

"That's the exciting part of all this, to come over here and be pioneers in female footy and grow something almost from the ground up," she said.

"The cultural diversity over here is something we just don't have in Perth.

"Western Australia is already a well-developed football community too, so the girls over there are just adding on, and they'll do a great job. But for us we're building from the ground up and it's an awesome opportunity."

A four-time state representative and four-time club champion with East Fremantle in the WAWFL, Swanson has represented Melbourne in exhibition matches for the past three years.

Marquee players receive a 12-month paid contract for the league's first season (around $25,000), with the Giants to help players with employment and moving expenses.

Swanson said that while playing as a professional has been a goal, she was more concerned with helping establish a solid platform for the long-term future of women's football.

"It's as much about 2027 as it is 2017," she said.

"Yes, next year we want to win a premiership. That’s what we're here for and what we play for, but it's as much about paving a path for those coming through after us.

"If I don't get to play full-time as an athlete, it doesn't bother me.

"I just want the girls who are playing junior footy now to be able to have the chance to be full-time athletes when they're older and get paid reasonable money.

"To me it's all about providing opportunities for the next generations."

Forth is one of eight West Australians chosen as marquee players this week. She told AFL.com.au she did not hesitate to take up the Giants' offer of a contract.

The West Australian captain, a leading contender to skipper the first GWS team, said spreading the wealth of talent from the West around the country was the best thing for the women's league.

"You can stay at home and in your own comfort zone, but why not take an opportunity like this and try something different?" she said.

"If all the West Australian girls stayed in Perth, we'd probably be guaranteed to win a flag, but will that help the competition down the track?

"People won't want to watch female footy if one team is flogging the others. That’s not something people will love watching.

"They're going to love a competition in every game and that’s what's so good about the AFL this year, (where) one game separates second and seventh.

"That’s what we want in women's footy as well."