It has been another night of firsts for the Sydney Swans AFLW team with the players presented their guernseys ahead of their inaugural season in the competition.

The players, coaches, support staff, families and Sydney’s men’s team gathered at the SCG for a special night, a fortnight after the team was officially welcomed for its first training session on the venue’s hallowed turf. 

WATCH THE FULL EVENT IN THE VIDEO ABOVE.

Chairman Andrew Pridham opened proceedings with a moving address welcoming the team to the ‘big time’.

“You have the great honour of writing chapter one,” Pridham declared.

“This is your moment and it’s a major piece of history for our club.”

Coach Scott Gowans also had some inspiring words in his coach’s address, outlining opportunity ahead.

“We can’t tiptoe into this competition, we have to go bang,” Gowans said.

“There will be tough times, but we have to make an impression straight away. Let’s make sure we take this opportunity we have been given.”

Sydney Swans AFL co-captains Dane Rampe and Callum Mills were on hand to present the guernseys to the newest group of Swans, while fellow co-captain Luke Parker had the honour of giving the toast.

“You girls have made history. All I ask of you is to enjoy the highs, you grow from your failures and you write your own story,” Parker said.

“Invest in this club and you will have memories and relationships that will last a lifetime. We are all so excited to see you run out and do us proud.”

Each player will forge their own history in the guernseys as the first women to wear the iconic Sydney Swans strip at the elite level. So too, they will continue the rich history of their guernsey number.

Maddy Collier will wear the #14 guernsey made famous by Swans greats Bob Skilton and Paul Kelly, and currently worn by fellow NSW product and Swans co-captain Callum Mills.

Collier said the honour of wearing the number 14 was not lost on her.

“You are wearing the Swans guernsey all the time, on and off the field, so you want to make sure you’re representing it as best you can – especially with the calibre of people who have worn that number before,” Collier said.

“I guess there’s a bit of pressure that comes with it but a lot of pride and a responsibility to do it justice. It’s very humbling and exciting that I am the first woman to wear it and I hope that I can live up to the standards it holds.”

The Sydney Swans AFLW number one ticket holder was also announced on the night, with former club director Lynn Ralph given the honour.

Ralph, the first woman to be appointed to the Sydney Swans Board, has been a strong advocate for women in football and the development of the code in NSW for more than two decades.

Ralph was a Foundation Member of the AFL NSW/ACT Commission and has also played an instrumental role in founding L@SS (Ladies at Sydney Swans), the club’s official women’s supporter group.

An emotional Ralph addressed the room, thanking the club for being given the privilege.

“There are so many women who have done so much for this club over the years, I don’t feel like I have done enough, but I know I am going to share this with a lot of women,” Ralph said.

“I can’t wait to watch the journey that all the girls go on, we are all going on it together and like any trip, there will be ups and downs, but I have a really good feeling. The club is ready, the fans and members are ready.”

The Sydney Swans AFLW team begin their journey in the AFLW competition on Saturday, August 27 at North Sydney Oval against St Kilda. More on the AFLW fixture here.

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AFLW Guernsey Numbers