Two Swans will make their AFLW debuts when Sydney take on the GIANTS in Marn Grook and the first AFLW Sydney Derby on Saturday afternoon at the SCG.
21-year old defender Eliza Vale and 25-year old cross-coder Tiarne Cavanagh will make their first appearances on the big stage, as the iconic Sydney venue hosts its very first AFLW match.
Vale joined the Swans from the Western Bulldogs VFLW side and won the Bulldogs Best and Fairest this season and has continued to impress since coming to the harbour city.
Her start to the AFLW season was interrupted by an ankle injury but coach Scott Gowans said the young defender is fit and ready to make her first appearance in the red and white this Saturday.
"She has waited a really long time to get her opportunity so we are really looking forward to seeing how she goes for us," Gowans said.
"She uses the ball well by foot and I can see her playing a great role down back for us.”
Tiarne Cavanagh will also make her AFLW debut but has had a very different path to all others on the Swans list.
The 25-year old comes from a rugby union (sevens) background having played in the Australia A team and in the NSW Academy.
Coach Scott Gowans is looking forward to seeing what Cavanagh can produce in her new code.
"She brings speed and agility and is going to be a long-term player for us, so I'm really excited for what she will bring," Gowans said.
Cavanagh's AFLW debut will be just her third game of Australian Rules and she said she was in shock when coach Scott Gowans called her with the news.
"I couldn't believe it, I am pretty sure I used the words 'no way!' " Cavanagh said.
"I was hopeful I would get an opportunity at some point in the season but probably didn't think it would be this early. My family, like me, were full of emotions: excited, nervous and teary when I told them the news."
Vale and Cavanagh's inclusions are two of the three changes to the Swans team to face the GIANTS, with Sarah Dargan coming back into the team and Aimee Whelan (injured), Sarah Skinner (omitted) and Sarah Ford (omitted) for Round 3. Whelan injured her arm at training last night and will have scans to determine the extent of her injury.
The focus for Coach Scott Gowans and his team has been getting consistency across four quarters of footy and hoped his side will produce that and plenty more in a big cross-town Derby.
"We have been ok inside the contest, but really for us about it's about getting it on the outside and then getting it inside our forward 50," Gowans said.
"We have done some work this week and really not only hoping we can win the ball but distribute it well too so that's the plan for this week."
Alongside being an historic first SCG fixture, the game is also the first AFLW Marn Grook, celebrating Indigenous culture as part of the AFL's Indigenous Round. The team will wear the club's original Marn Grook guernsey for the match. Designed by Lisa Sansbury, mother of Sydney Swans champion Adam Goodes, the Marn Grook guernsey depicts where the city meets the sea, telling the story of Indigenous people coming together around Sydney’s harbour and estuaries. More on the Marn Grook Guernsey can be read here.
With a sunny day in Sydney forecast, the club is encouraging fans to fill the SCG stands in plenty of red and white. Saturday's Round 3 match between the Swans and GIANTS kicks off at 2.40pm.
Adult tickets start from just $10 and juniors U18 enter free with a valid $0 ticket. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Sydney Swans, Round 3 vs GWS GIANTS
INS: Sarah Dargan, Eliza Vale (debut), Tiarne Cavanagh (debut)
OUTS: Sarah Skinner (omitted), Sarah Ford (omitted), Aimee Whelan (injured)
B: Molly Eastman, Alana Woodward
HB: Gen Lawson Tavan, Lexi Hamilton, Ella Heads
C: Sofia Hurley, Lauren Szigeti, Lisa Steane
HF: Rebecca Privitelli, Bella Smith, Aliesha Newman
F: Ally Morphett, Cynthia Hamilton
Foll: Kate Reynolds, Brooke Lochland, Paige Sheppard
Int: Brenna Tarrant, Bridie Kennedy, Eliza Vale, Sarah Dargan, Tiarne Cavanagh
Emg: Sarah Skinner, Sarah Ford, Zoe Hurrell
