Ahead of the 2023 AFLW season the Sydney Swans player list saw a raft of changes. The likes of Chloe Molloy, Lucy McEvoy and Laura Gardiner joined the side with a wealth of experience and three Irish exports moved across the globe lending raw athletic talent.

The side then saw Tanya Kennedy join the list following the loss of Maddy Collier and Hayley Bullas who were both ruled out of the season with ACL injuries.

Head coach Scott Gowans however is looking for his establish squad to lift and put selection pressures on the coaching staff each week.

“It’s got to be a collective,” Gowans told Sydney Swans Media.

“We’re only as strong as the bottom end of the list and I want them all pushing for spots.”

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"I want all the players pushing for spots" - Gowans

AFLW senior coach Scott Gowans gives us a season preview as we look forward to our opening game in September.

19-year-old Ally Morphett has impressed during the pre-season with Gowans excited to see what impact she brings in September.

“Ally had got herself extremely fit and is now able to transition up and down the ground,” the coach explained.

“She’s always been a good ruck and that’s been her go-to but now she can actually impact around the ground and I’m really excited to see how she goes this year.”

Morphett joined the red and white in the club’s first year of AFLW after seven games with the GWS Giants.

Elsewhere in the squad 2022 Club Champion Cynthia Hamilton and young stars Montana Ham and Sofia Hurley are impressing in match simulation, however Gowans is asking for more.

Cynthia Hamilton.

“The good thing is the pressure will be off (our Club Champions) with Lucy, Chloe and Laura coming in.

“The expectation from my perspective is on them to improve.”

There are just over three weeks left of pre-season preparation with the side to face the Gold Coast Suns and Carlton in match simulations over the next fortnight.

In the first episode of Gowans preview, he was quietly confident in his side.

“We’re not here to participate, we’re here to win.”

We will enjoy two home games in Round 1 and 2 at North Sydney Oval, facing the GWS Giants and Geelong Cats respectively.

2023 AFLW Memberships are now available! Join today and don the red and white for our first home game at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, 3 September.