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.

"I feel that people don’t value or realise how lucky we are to live this life,” Cynthia Hamilton tells Sydney Swans Media. 

At just 19 the exciting midfielder carries herself, on and off the field, with maturity. It's evident in the way she reflects on her AFLW journey so far, crediting her family, networks, and the world class facility at Sydney Swans HQ for her success. Including earning Club Champion in 2022.

After walking onto North Sydney Oval for the first time in Round 1 of last season - what she describes as an 'I made it moment' - Hamilton has taken every challenge in her stride. 

At what point did you realise you could take your passion for AFL into a professional career?

“It was when I started the Academy program with the Giants. I did that for three years and as I started progressing in that I believed I could take it to the AFLW level.”

Who do you credit for your success?

“Very much my family, but also the networks and systems that I have behind me. The Queanbeyan Tigers and Giants Academy played a massive role. But my family has been massive for where I am today.”

What life lesson did you learn the hard way?

“(Laughs) you can’t spend your money and think it will automatically return.”

Can you recall the most defining moment of your life so far? 

“Walking onto North Sydney Oval for the first time, Round 1 in 2022, was a defining moment for me. It was an ‘I made it moment’. I like crowds but they get me nervous.”

If you weren’t playing AFL, what do you think you’d be doing?

“If I wasn’t playing AFL, I’d be a year 10 dropout and I would have gone into an apprenticeship and worked until I retired.”

What are you most grateful for? 

“I’m grateful for my family, for the facilities we have here at Sydney Swans HQ – it’s unreal – and just life in general.

I feel that people don’t value or realise how lucky we are to live this life.

What is your most controversial opinion?

“I hate Nutella. Is that controversial? But I’m also allergic (laughs).”

Whether you’re preparing for training or a match, do you have any superstitions or things you must do beforehand?

“I put my left boot on before my right boot first. If have a shot at goal I tap the ball on my left foot and then my right before I kick. It’s a good luck thing, I guess. I started doing it and it stuck.”

In your own opinion, what are your greatest strengths?

“On the field I would say my greatest strength is being able to kick and being aggressive. Off the field, being a good person.”

Who is your sports hero?

“Ooh, it would have to be Adam Goodes. I was watching him play as I grew up so I’d have to stick with Adam.”

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.

Follow the Sydney Swans AFLW social media channels on Instagram and Twitter for all AFLW news and updates.

The 2023 AFLW fixture is locked in, and we return to North Sydney Oval for a blockbuster Sydney Derby on Sunday, 3 September! Sign up to become a 2023 AFLW member TODAY!