Game Two of the AFLW Summer Series saw a Swans White v Swans Red match-up. Swans White were victorious by 22 points, the score finishing 51-29.

We got the thoughts of Sydney Swans AFLW Summer Series coaches Bron Gulden (Swans White) and Kate Handley (Swans Red) after the match.

Q&A with Bron Gulden, Swans White coach

What worked and lead to the win?

BG: The girls played a cleaner game today and found a better groove with their ball movement and utilised the space available to them on the big BISP ground.

What were the things you could see improvement in from last week?

BG: We worked hard this week at training on clean hands, ground ball possession and getting that overlap run to move the ball forward in a much more structured way. I think there was a definite improvement in those areas as well as a greater understanding of each other from a team perspective. It was evident in some patches that a second game together starts to allow teammates to anticipate and work together more efficiently.

Your team kicked a good score, what were your thoughts on the forward movement today?

BG: We are still a few games away from good cohesive forward movement but we are fortunate to have some very intelligent footballers whose work rate and willingness to learn allowed us to score well today. Utilising players who have spent the majority of their footy in the midfield has meant they are still getting comfortable in their roles but their natural talent is ensuring they are impacting where needed.

It was different conditions to last week being dry and hot, how much did that change how the girls went about it?

BG: The BISP ground was in perfect condition which afforded both teams the opportunity to play skilled football. I thought we used that to our advantage quite well. As opposed to last week, the heat left us struggling to run out the game towards to back half of the last quarter however we did continue to penetrate our forward 50 and defended well when needed.

Which players impressed?

BG: The coaching team agreed that Ella Morris was one of our best with her reading of the game, willingness to take it on and impact forward early and then in the midfield. Kate Reynolds who only joined the squad last week was fantastic in the ruck. Her tap work was unbeatable and gave our midfield every advantage all over the ground. Her follow up efforts within the contest were also impressive. Emily Eaves was again a bull in the middle with her ability to win the contest and deliver the ball to dangerous space in our 50. Jemima Wrigley, Sophie Phillips and Liv Cameron also had big impacts on the game and played their roles very well all day.

Q&A with Swans Red Coach Kate Handley

What were the improvements from last week?

KH: The girls lifted on their intensity from last week and were able to play a much more aggressive brand of football. We moved the football well at times and were able to link up using the space on the wing out of our backline. Our midfield was boosted with some experienced players, including Bec Ives (Wyong) who did a great job stepping up as captain when our Captain Willow Smith went down in the first quarter due to injury.

Your team responded to the challenge in the second half. What was the word at half time and what changed and worked?

KH: My coaching team Nadene, Meaghan and Terry reinforced what we spoke about pre game, just working on our pressure around the contests, hitting targets and keeping up the voice and intensity to work together as a team. We also spoke about the speed of the whites and how they were looking to play on from marks and free kicks and that we need to be quicker to react defensively to stop their quick flow of play.

It was different conditions to last week, how much did that change how the girls went about it?

KH: The hot conditions meant we were making a lot more rotations off the bench. We were looking to maintain possession when we could and control the speed of the play. The conditions suited us a lot better compared to last week and I was very impressed with the work rate and effort from all players.

Which players impressed?

KH: Alice Mitchell (Gunnedah Bulldogs) had another very solid game in defence as did Rosie Ronan-Yates (Newcastle City) and Emily Crookes (Killarney Vale). New addition to the side Caitlin Holcombe (Newcastle City) showed great intensity across half back and as a defensive unit we are improving each week. Through the midfield, Inverell product Gabby Mooney, sister of Australian cricketer Beth, showed that talent really does run in the family.

I was also impressed with young gun Lily Moody (Coffs Harbour Breakers) who showed excellent composure in front of goal to slot one for us in the third quarter.

What will continue to be the focus areas at training going into the next game?

KH: Executing skills under pressure will be a big one for us as a squad over the next two weeks leading into game three. Our kicking efficiency at times let us down, as did our ability to take contested marks around the ground. It will be a tough contest against Giants Orange but the team shows great effort and intensity and are all learning and improving with each game.