As we enter our second season of the AFLW, and prepare for the 2023 AFLW season, we bring you our new series On the mark, presented by Bing Lee where we meet our AFLW team and find out what makes them tick.
Stay tuned to sydneyswans.com.au/aflw for all the latest interviews and AFLW news.
At just 21, midfielder Paige Sheppard says she was forced to grow up a little faster when she moved to Sydney. After playing for the Geelong Falcons VFLW side in 2022, Sheppard was offered and opportunity she was hoping for. A chance to play for the Sydney Swans inaugural AFLW squad.
Now in her second season for the red and white she hopes to continue growing with the opportunities the club provides.
At what point did you realise you could take your passion for AFL into a professional career?
“I went through NAB League at a good age, about 16, when the women’s league started to grow. More teams were coming in. I played a few years of VFL with Geelong. I was training with the VFLW team and I felt that I was so close to the AFLW. It was something I was really open to.”
Who do you credit for your success?
“Definitely my family and coaches down in Geelong but also Scott (Gowans) here. He took a big chance on me.”
What life lesson did you learn the hard way?
“Not being from Sydney I didn’t have much time to process packing up and moving. It was the ownership of going out on my own and experiencing things for myself without my family by my side. It was growing up a little faster.”
Can you recall the most defining moment of your life so far?
“One would be getting that call from Scotty (about selection). It was something I was wanting and wishing for and it caught me off-guard.”
If you weren’t playing AFL, what do you think you’d be doing?
“Playing netball. I was playing netball before I started football.”
What are you most grateful for?
“I’m most grateful for the opportunities that the Swans have given me. As I said before, the club took a chance on me but they trusted my personality and my skills. I'm grateful for the support the club has given.”
What is your most controversial opinion?
“I have to have butter under peanut butter or Nutella.”
Whether you’re preparing for training or a match, do you have any superstitions or things you must do beforehand?
“I actually don’t. The only thing for me is that I’m big on my hair. It needs to be perfect. I’ll never rock up with scruffy hair.”
In your own opinion, what are your greatest strengths?
“On the field I would say my footy IQ. Being a smart footballer and being able to read the play. Off the field, being a hard worker. Always coming with good energy and positive energy and wanting to work hard.”
Who is your sports hero?
“I’m a big netball fan so I love Kate Maloney. I grew up watching her.”
This profile series is presented by Bing Lee.
The 2023 AFLW Season will commence on the first weekend of September with the full fixture now confirmed.
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