The Sydney Swans have named a six-person leadership group for the club’s inaugural season in the AFLW.
Alana Woodward, Bec Privitelli, Brooke Lochland, Lauren Szigeti, Lisa Steane and Maddy Collier will lead the team who will make history when they run out for their first game on Saturday, August 27 at North Sydney Oval.
The group was voted by the players with a final captaincy structure still to be confirmed.
Sydney Swans Executive General Manager – AFLW, Kate Mahony, said it’s another exciting milestone for the team.
“The whole team has the opportunity to establish the foundations of our Swans AFLW culture for years to come and the players have shown they trust Alana, Brooke, Maddy, Lisa, Lauren and Bec to lead the team in our first season,” Mahony said.
“This is a direct reflection of the example each of these players set in our program and we are confident they will do a great job both supporting and challenging the playing group in the season ahead.”
Sydney Swans AFLW Senior Coach Scott Gowans echoed Mahony’s sentiments.
“These players will give their guidance and support to the playing group, and they should be very proud to be chosen as the team’s leaders,” Gowans said.
“The reality is we need every player to show leadership and I’m confident our leadership group will help foster an environment that empowers anyone, at any time, to lead and trust that their voice is important.”
The leadership group has 123 games of AFLW experience with 31-year-old Brooke Lochland and 26-year-old Maddy Collier the most experienced of the six.
Lochland is the former vice captain of the Western Bulldogs where she played 35 games, while NSW home-grown talent Maddy Collier has played 34 games for two clubs including 15 for the GWS GIANTS and 19 for West Coast.
Bec Privitelli and Lisa Steane bring 28 and 19 games of experience respectively. Steane is another NSW local having grown up in Nelson Bay, while Privitelli grew up playing football in Victoria.
Rounding out the group are midfielder Alana Woodward, who joined the Swans after stints at Richmond and St Kilda, and Lauren Szigeti, who joined the Swans from Hawthorn’s VFL side and at 22 is the youngest member of the group.
There’s just over two weeks until Sydney’s historic Round 1 match against St Kilda at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, August 27. Excitement continues to build with tickets now on sale.
The team’s first official practice match is this Saturday, August 13 against Collingwood at Blacktown from 1pm. Fans who are unable to attend can watch our live stream on sydneyswans.com.au
First Happens Once so be with us from the start. AFLW access memberships are just $75 for the season. For details visit: membership.sydneyswans.com.au
