The Sydney Swans have been defeated by Collingwood by five goals in their first practice match at Blacktown on Saturday afternoon.

Despite a strong first half from the Swans, the experience of the Magpies shone through in the second half, overrunning the Swans to kick six goals to none to win 8.8.56 to 4.2.26.

It was a positive start from the Swans, putting Collingwood under plenty of pressure from first bounce and looking lively all over the field.

Goals to Bec Privitelli and Cynthia Hamilton sparked the Swans first quarter and the Sydney defence absorbed plenty of pressure in the second quarter before two late goals through Lisa Steane and Ally Morphett gave the home side a 9-point lead at half time.

After the main break it was all Collingwood however, the Magpies flexing their muscles to have a dominant second half with the Swans unable to sustain their pressure which stood up in the first half.

Post game Head Coach Scott Gowans said there was plenty to take from the game, which was the team's first official hit-out since coming together as a team exactly two months ago.

"We dropped off in that second half, being a young side who is learning how tough AFLW is, it's going to take us on a bit of a journey," Gowans said.

"When Collingwood got momentum in that second half, we were struggling to stop it and that's something we will be working on next week - what do we do, what are the mechanisms we can use just around things like communication, on-field leadership as far as the collective group, players being able to get their teammates up and going, those types of things.

Gowans said he was pleased to see positive signs from the things the team had been working on, particularly their pressure around the contest.

"The big thing is, that's what we have worked on (pressure), ball movement and team offence," Gowans said.

"We have touched on team defence but not a lot and it showed so that it's something we need to spend more time on but I was really pleased with that first half. I thought there were some really good elements to it, clearances, time in forward half etc.

"At the end of the day it comes down to playing four quarters and against GWS we played two good ones and we have played another two good ones today but we have two weeks now to try and put four together before we play the Saints."

With that Round 1 fixture just two weeks away all players were looking to impress today to earn selection in what will be an historic opening fixture.

"We played the whole squad that was available today," Gowans said.

"That probably didn't help us as there were five changes at half time which is a really tough thing to do but what it did was give us a really good idea for Round 1. That's probably what the practice match is more about, but we also need to practice winning..... so you cant have everything as a coach."

With a short lead in time for a brand new team, Gowans said he was happy as to where the team currently sits after seeing the group in match situations against the GIANTS and Collingwood in the past week.

"I think we currently sit where we thought we would sit, maybe slightly ahead," Gowans said.

"I think it's a tough competition and I have been really pleased with the way they have connected and gelled together. There's elements of the ball movement and the team offence that was good it's just that we need to do it for longer and that's only going to happen with time. I think we sit in a good spot for the season and be competitive. It's just that to be where we want to be, we have some work to do."

With excitement building ahead of the club's first appearance in the AFLW and the opening round fixture at North Sydney Oval on Saturday August 27, Gowans said the team really appreciate the support from members and fans who have showed up to Lakeside Oval and Blacktown.

"You can see the girls smiles on their faces when they heard the song and the crowd clapped, that's just a taste of what it's going to be like in Round 1 and I hope all the members and fans get along because the girls are enjoyable to watch. I hope people can see that it's going to be a bit of a journey but what a good thing to be there from the start of the story and follow it through."