More than 100 footballers from both the men's and women's competitions have come together for a historic summit in Geelong where culture and connection have been in focus.
It's the first time AFL and AFLW groups have come together to share experiences with a view to driving cultural change across the football industry and wider community.
In attendance for the Swans were players Aliesha Newman and Jaide Anthony, along with men's senior coach John Longmire, CEO Tom Harley, Executive GM of Football Charlie Gardiner, Executive GM AFLW Kate Mahony, Executive GM of People and Culture Scott Dalby, and Head of Player Wellbeing and Development Brett Kirk.
A Welcome to Country by traditional owners, basket weaving, and music were just some of the cultural experiences that participants enjoyed, while a suburban football ground provided the backdrop for a combined on-field training session.
Aliesha Newman said it was a wonderful opportunity to form connections with players from across the competition.
"We’re training with some of our idols out here and to be able to walk around on the same pitch as them has been unreal," Newman said.
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"The highlight for me was definitely the drumming, but my hands are paying the price today because I couldn’t get off them!
"It was a really good day and I think the AFL has done a really good job of this, incorporating both AFL and AFLW."
The AFL said the summit provides a platform for players to discuss matters of importance to them and how the AFL and the AFLPA can work collaboratively to best support change across the industry that will impact positively on their experiences in the game, on and off the field.
Veteran Fremantle forward Michael Walters said racism continued to be the No.1 issue facing Indigenous and multicultural players, and it was important for the players to get to know each other off the field.
"Still to this day [racism] goes on and although we might not hear about it, as sports stars we're here to talk about those issues," he said.
"We're on the platform where we can [talk] to the broader public as well because it doesn’t only happen in sport; it happens all over the community and all over the world as well. So for us to stand up on a different platform and speak about it, it's the best thing going forward not only for the AFL but for the community as well."
