The Sydney Swans have made three changes to its side to face the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at Punt Road on Sunday evening with two young players set to make their AFLW debuts.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy products, Ruby Sargant-Wilson and Kiara Beesley will make their first AFLW appearances whilst Aliesha Newman has also been included in the side after missing last week due to an ankle injury sustained in Round 4.
Coming out of the side are Ally Morphett (omitted) and Rebecca Privitelli (illness) and Aimee Whelan (injured). Aimee Wheelan unfortunately suffered a fractured right collarbone in a tackle during the team's training session on Friday night. She will undergo an orthopaedic review next week to assess her return to play plan.
19-year-old, Ruby Sargent-Wilson was the first player on the Swans list. A local product, she grew up in the Illawarra region on the south coast of New South Wales. A natural born athlete, she represented NSW in touch football, netball and AFL in the same year. She joined the QBE Sydney Swans Academy in 2021 and represented the Swans in the inaugural Under-19 series, an experience which she credits for preparing her to become a professional athlete.
"Ruby has had an interrupted pre-season with us and then she had to have a little minor operation, she was our first signing so her journey has been one of resilience," AFLW Head Coach Gowans said.
"She is an incredible runner, which is crucial in the the game and I am looking forward to seeing what she can bring to our team."
Fellow QBE Sydney Swans Academy graduate, 20-year old Kiara Beesley played her local footy for the Southern Power in the AFL Sydney competition and she was also a national representative in acrobatic gymnastics. An athletic player, Beesley set multiple draft combine records including top five all-time across the 20m sprint, vertical and running jump.
"It's exciting for Kiara, she's worked very hard and she is one of those players that culturally brings everything that you want, she is very coachable," Gowans said.
"She came back from an ACL injury and did the preseason but with the timing of everything this season, it meant she hadn't played a lot of footy. Her last few weeks of training she has really taken on board what she has needed to learn. She is very strong and loves the contest and when she wins the ball she makes really good decisions."
The Swans are still searching for their first win in their first season, meanwhile the Kangaroos are coming off back to back wins against Geelong and the Western Bulldogs. Sydney Swans Head Coach Scott Gowans will come up against his old team this week, having coached the Kangaroos from 2019-2020.
First bounce is 5.10pm and the match is live on Fox Sports, Kayo and 7Mate (NSW).
Sydney Swans v North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos
Sunday October 2, 5.10pm
Punt Road Oval
B: Bella Smith, Molly Eastman
HB: Ella Heads, Montana Ham, Gen Lawson Tavan
C: Brenna Tarrant, Ruby Sargent Wilson*, Paige Sheppard
HF: Sofia Hurley, Cynthia Hamilton, Maddy Collier
F: Kiara Beesley*, Aliesha Newman
Foll: Lexi Hamilton, Brooke Lochland, Sarah Dargan
Int: Alana Woodward, Lisa Steane, Bridie Kennedy, Sarah Skinner, Lauren Szigeti
Emg: Zoe Hurrell, Sarah Ford, Ally Morphett
OUT: Rebecca Privitelli (illness), Ally Morphett (omitted), Aimee Whelan (injury)
IN: Aliesha Newman, Kiara Beesley (debut), Ruby Sargent Wilson (debut)