The Sydney Swans have made two changes to their side to face Essendon at Ikon Park in Round 8.

Essendon v Sydney Swans
Saturday October 15
Ikon Park, 3.10pm AEDT

IN: Zoe Hurrell (debut), Paige Sheppard
OUT: Maddy Collier (illness), Ruby Sargent-Wilson (omitted)

Zoe Hurrell is set to make her debut while Paige Sheppard returns from illness for the Saturday afternoon fixture.

“We have a debutant this week which is really nice with Zoe Hurrell coming into the team,” Gowans said.

“Zoe is a versatile player, we have actually trained her through the three lines. She has great very footy IQ, covers the grass really well and the other thing I like about her is she transitions the ball by hand quite nicely.

“She has a long kick, and part of our problem is we can’t get inside 50 and score so we think Zoe might give us a little bit of help with that.

“Paige is a contested ball beast,” Gowans added.

“Paige has played pretty good footy and the difference between her top level and sub level is not very much at all, so you know what you will get from Paige.”

Gowans said there are plenty of positives to take away from the team’s past few performances.

“We have been gaining more possession which is critical,” Gowans said.

“If you have the ball in your hand, the opposition don’t so that is a big focus for us.

“I found at the early part of the season, it was hard to get the players to have a bit of composure where as now there is times in games where they are composing and retaining possession.

“That is all part of the territory game, and it may have taken a little bit longer than we thought, but it is good we are seeing growth in that area.”

The Swans will face another expansion side in Essendon this week, with Gowans looking to nullify their dangerous forward line.

“Essendon have done very well. Credit to them, they have had some really good wins,” Gowans said.

“They had a good game last week against Geelong. Their forward line is the key to the game so we hope that we can nullify their scores and if we can, it will keep us in the game.

The match will be broadcast on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports and 7Mate.

B: Kiara Beesley, Brenna Tarrant
HB: Ella Heads, Bella Smith, Bridie Kennedy
C: Molly Eastman, Sofia Hurley, Cynthia Hamilton
HF: Sarah Dargan, Rebecca Privitelli, Brooke Lochland
F: Lexi Hamilton, Aliesha Newman
Foll: Ally Morphett, Lauren Szigeti, Montana Ham

Int: Alana Woodward, Lisa Steane, Paige Sheppard, Zoe Hurrell, Sarah Skinner
Emg: Ruby Sargent-Wilson, Sarah Ford, Genevieve Lawson Tavan