With thanks to Bird in Hand, AFLW Senior Assistant Coach & Female Academy Coach Baker Denneman provides insight into the week-to-week of our AFLW team. This week he reflects on the team's historic Round 1 match and looks ahead to Round 2 against Collingwood.
An occasion such as Saturday night, with over 8,000 fans packing into North Sydney Oval (the biggest AFLW crowd the state had seen) was the first taste for our playing group to feel what great support we have as a club, and they are looking forward to embracing it week in, week out. Although the result unfortunately didn’t go our way, overall, for the club, staff, players, families and for AFL in NSW, it was a momentous occasion in the club's history.
The night gave an opportunity for the fans to get a first hand look at the players, and also how the playing group have been working towards the moment from the onset of pre-season. Throughout periods of the game, the group showcased the game plan in full flight, and individual moments of talent ensured that we kept ourselves in the contest. We didn’t shy away from the pressure of the moment, and the competitive nature of the group was apparent from the first centre bounce.
We saw some great moments on the field with Bec Privitelli forever in the Swans history books as the first Sydney Swans AFLW goal kicker. Lisa Steane used all her experience to lead from the front in the contest, picking up coaches votes in process and talented teenager Cynthia Hamilton showed she is a player to watch, bringing plenty of energy and hitting the scoreboard too.
Like every team in the competition, we play to win, and we won’t let the performance and result dampen the spirits in that regard, but will definitely take the learnings out of the game, and look to rectify and implement these when we face Collingwood, this Sunday at Victoria Park.
The next fixture against Collingwood provides the playing group with a great opportunity to compete against a team that will bring the heat inside the contest, but also execute effectively through disposal use outside as well. Similar to that of the preseason game, we expect different elements all over the ground, but having been competitive with them in that outing, the group should take confidence into this weekend.
It will be a challenge for the group, as Collingwood are such a star studded line up, but in saying that, the game is an opportunity to compete against the best. The group are looking to put in a four quarter performance, and see it as a good chance to implement the learnings from last weekend, and embrace what should be an aggressive Collingwood line up.
On behalf of the team, thanks for the fantastic support to date and make sure you continue to be part of the team's journey in our first season.
Baker
