The Sydney Swans VFL side's 2024 campaign kicks off on Sunday afternoon when the Swans face the Coburg Lions at Tramway Oval.

After successfully playing in recent practice matches, Swans 181-gamer Sam Reid will make a long-awaited return to an official match after missing the entire 2023 AFL season through injury.

There's plenty of fresh new faces to the Swans 2024 side and a handful of players will make their first official appearances in the red and white.

Swans senior listed players Joel Hamling (from Fremantle), Will Green (pick 16 AFL Draft 2023), Patrick Snell (pick 53 2023 AFL Draft) alongside Koby Grass (elite runner, half forward and winger from Gippsland Power), Phil Moi Moi (powerful midfield and forward from Sandringham),  Ben Ashley Cooper ( hard running and tough midfielder from Lavington) Will Kelly (hybrid, classy athlete recruited from Collingwood) and Ben Edwards (inside midfielder and winger with speed recruited from Claremont ) will all make their Sydney VFL debuts.

QBE Sydney Swans Academy product Lachie Cabor will also lineup for the side as well as Swans-listed players Will Edwards, Cooper Vickery, Caiden Cleary, Jacob Konstanty, Aaron Francis, Lachie McAndrew, Pete Ladhams and Jaiden Magor.

The Swans had a tough season in 2023 registering four wins across the season but the young team finished the season well, winning three of their last six matches with wins over Richmond, Essendon and cross-town rivals, the GWS Giants.

Sydney Swans VFL and Development Coach Damian Truslove, who will coach his second season in 2024, said he has been impressed with the way his squad have tackled the preseason.

"Our pre season has been impressive with all athletes completing a gruelling summer training program," Truslove said.

"Our form in our preseason practice games has been inconsistent but our best is good enough to be competitive and we are working hard on connecting and developing a brand of footy that will be competitive each game.

"The guys are looking forward to the season ahead and we start the season this Sunday against a team that has been in good form in their practice games and look forward to the challenge of the Lions."

VFL Round 1

Sydney Swans v Coburg Lions

12.05pm Sunday March 24, Tramway Oval

Live streaming and broadcast
All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will again be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL/W App. In a first, all VFL and VFLW matches will feature commentary this season. The Seven Network will continue to broadcast one Smithy’s VFL game live and free on Channel 7 in Victoria and on 7Plus nationally most weeks of the season.

Ticketing
Where Smithy’s VFL matches are ticketed, entry is $10 for adults, $5 for concession holders and kids under 15 are free. Some venues don't charge for entry including Tramway Oval. AFL ticketing prices apply for VFL matches played as curtain-raisers and curtain-closers to AFL matches.
 
Live scoring and stats
Live scoring and stats for all Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW matches will be available via the match centre on the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL/W app.