Round 1 - Sydney Swans v St Kilda, Saturday, August 27
North Sydney Oval
St Leonards Park Open: 2:00pm
Gates Open: 3:30pm
Bounce: 5:10pm
Our first squad. Our first fixture. Our first season.
History will be made at North Sydney Oval on Saturday August 27 when the Sydney Swans kick off their inaugural season against St Kilda.
This will be an historic occasion for the football club. For 148 years the club have had the men's team playing in the VFA/VFL/AFL and now a women's team will represent the club too.
Sydney Swans Head Coach Scott Gowans has named his FIRST line up, including 11 debutants in the side.
“It’s exciting and a good opportunity to get going," Gowans said.
"We have been training for 10 weeks now, match simulations and a practice match and everyone is chomping at the bit to see how we go for points.
“It’s very special and unique to have 11 debutants. I think of the 11, all but one of them have missed out on multiple drafts so they have a bee in their bonnet to push their case and show the world they are up to it. I expect all of them to give great effort and intensity and I think that is a really good starting point for a good game of footy.”
The Sydney Swans named co-captains earlier in the week with Brooke Lochland, Maddy Collier and Lauren Szigeti the trio to lead the team in its first season. Collier will miss the first match due to injury but Gowans expects Lochland and Szigeti and the players in the squad with AFLW experience to lead from the front in game one.
“They will bring their leadership on field with their voice. St Kilda are a really experienced side now and have had a few pre-seasons under them so we will rely on our leaders to bring their voice and communication when times get tough.
“A lot of our experienced footy players have never played footy together so it’s a great opportunity for them to find their connections and go forward from there.”
B: Ella Heads, Genevieve Lawson Tavan
HB: Sofia Hurley, Bella Smith, Sarah Skinner
C: Lisa Steane, Brooke Lochland, Molly Eastman
HF: Sarah Dargan, Montana Ham, Brenna Tarrant
F: Rebecca Privitelli, Lexi Hamilton
Foll: Ally Morphett, Aliesha Newman, Alana Woodward
Int: Paige Sheppard, Bridie Kennedy, Aimee Whelan, Lauren Szigeti, Cynthia Hamilton
Emg: Kate Reynolds, Sarah Ford, Zoe Hurrell
We are encouraging all members and fans to get along to North Sydney and cheer the team on in their first match against St Kilda.
Arrive to the venue early to experience some of the game day activity and be in your seat by 4:40pm to welcome the team onto the ground for their warm up and team entry.
Click here for the AFLW Match Day Hub for Round One.
Tickets are currently on sale and available to purchase on Ticketmaster. Adult tickets just $10.
