The Sydney Swans have been boosted by some of the best talent in the country after picking up five new players in the AFLW Draft for the club’s inaugural season in the competition, which commences in late August.

Headlining the new recruits is number one pick, 18-year-old midfielder Montana Ham, who nominated New South Wales in the state-based draft. Ham comes to the Harbour City from the Western Jets in Victoria.

Ham started playing football when she was just four years old and has played in four NAB League campaigns, being named best on ground in Vic Metro's championship this season. She was also judged MVP for the National AFLW Academy side in their game against the U23 All-Stars.

Sydney Swans coach Scott Gowans said he’s excited to have an elite talent such as Ham in Sydney’s inaugural women’s team.

“Montana is a 180cm midfielder who can play forward as well. She loves contested footy, has clean hands and a strong work ethic,” Gowans said.

“We will play Montana in various roles to suit the team’s needs. Fans can also expect to see her spend some time across the half-back line and we are excited to see her in Swans colours.”

With the club’s second selection in the draft, pick five overall, another Victorian joined the red and white in midfielder Sofia Hurley.

Hurley played alongside Ham in Vic Metro’s 2022 championship and was also a member of the AFLW U18 National Academy this year.

“Sofia is a fast outside midfielder with great skills and awareness,” Gowans said.

“She has the ability to find both the footy and identify space. We expect Sofia to play on the flanks and wings, and we believe she will also be able to drift forward and hit the scoreboard. Her two-kilometre time trial demonstrates her athletic abilities, and she will be a key part to our growth as a team for many years to come.”

With the club’s third selection, pick 11 overall, midfielder/forward Cynthia Hamilton from the Queanbeyan Tigers joined the team.

Touted as one of the best NSW/ACT talents of this year’s draft, Hamilton was an all-Australian in the 2021 NAB AFLW U19 Championships and joins her sister Lexi at the Swans for the club’s first season.

“Cynthia is comfortable anywhere on the footy field and has performed very well in all her representative games,” Gowans said.

“She loves the contest and has a high footy IQ, has strong marking abilities and reads the play well. Along with her defensive attributes we see her playing a variety of roles in our midfield and forward lines.”

Pick 12 overall, and the Swans fourth selection, was former track athlete Montana Beruldsen.

Originally from South Australia, 23-year-old Beruldsen has excelled in the 100m and 400m hurdles, competing at the national level. She has also competed at a high level in a range of other disciplines, including the heptathlon. Beruldsen comes to the club after being part of Hawthorn’s AFLW Academy and playing in the Hawks’ VFLW side this season.

“Montana has only played five or six games of AFL in her life. She’s a 400m hurdler at national level and she’s an elite athlete, so we think she has the athletic ability to develop and grow,” Gowans said.

“Her growth and limited time in the Hawthorn VFLW program has been amazing for her development. She finds the footy, has natural instinct, and we think we can develop that into something really special.”

Rounding out the new Swans is NSW product and tall defender who can go forward, Alice Mitchell.

A Sydney local, Mitchell put her hand up for selection after impressing throughout the Summer Series while playing for the Swans Red team. A former Mosman Swans player, Mitchell moved to Gunnedah to play with the Bulldogs and went on to win their local championship in their first ever women’s team. 

“Alice has elite hands and a left foot that can find targets. We like that she takes the game on, and she works hard to grow her craft,” Gowans said.

“Unfortunately, Alice has sustained an ACL injury in the past week and will be not able to take part in season seven. However, we believe Alice is a talent and we know she will work hard to be back for season eight. We will apply for Alice to be on our inactive list post draft and look to sign a replacement player.”

Sydney Swans 2022 AFLW draftees

Pick 1 - Montana Ham
DOB: 29-03-2004
Height: 179cm
Club/State: Victoria - Western Jets
Position: Midfield 

Pick 5 - Sofia Hurley
Club/State: Victoria - Sandringham Dragons
Height: 166cm
DOB: 30-01-2004
Position: Midfield

Pick 11 - Cynthia Hamilton
DOB: 02/04/2004
Height: 170cm
State/Club: NSW - Queanbeyan Tigers
Position: Midfield/ Forward

Pick 12 - Montana Beruldsen
Height: 169cm
DOB: 25/2/1999
State/ Club: South Australia/ Hawthorn VFLW

Pick 13 - Alice Mitchell
Height: 180cm
DOB: 8/8/2001
State/Club: NSW - Gunnedah & District Bulldogs
Position: Defender

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