The Sydney Swans will kick off their VFLW campaign this weekend , coming up against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval, Victoria.

For the first time, the red and white will feature in five rebel VFLW matches in 2024, playing against AFLW-aligned clubs from Rounds 3-7 of the competition. 

Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Scott Gowans has picked a side of youth and experience  for the side’s first game, approaching the next few weeks of the philosophy of developing some of the side’s newer faces while remaining competitive.

“We've got the philosophy that we want to get the new players to catch up to where we were and learn our game style,” Gowans said.

“We'll take that opportunity and then we'll play some of the players that were on the fringe last year and then top it up with the rest from there.

“But we're not going to take the philosophy of resting people just because it's VFLW. As I said, we're going in to win it.”

In the absence of AFLW co-captains Chloe Molloy and Lucy McEvoy, young star and Montana Ham will take the honour of captaining the side.

It’s recognition and an opportunity for the 20-year-old who has impressed over the past few weeks of training.

Ham and fellow teammates Paris McCarthy, Laura Gardiner and Montana Beruldsen have all impressed and will get their opportunity to show their development on the field this week.

“Montana Ham has probably the one that stood out to all the coaches so far and on the back of that, she'll captain this week,” Gowans said.

“It’s a great opportunity for her and she's very excited for that.

“Paris McCarthy has been training very well and then Laura Gardiner who looks like she's gone to another level, if you can believe that.”

“Montana Beruldsen, she's now had a couple of years where she's learnt the game, she’s bringing her speed to the game and she's added just a little bit of game sense. It's good to see that shine through and she'll get the opportunity to show that this week.”

The side’s first fixture of the competition will also see new faces Giselle Davies and Kiara Hillier don the red and white for the first time, while draftees Lara Hausegger, Sarah Grunden and QBE Sydney Swans Academy product Holly Cooper will also get opportunities.

“I think the exciting part is you can look at all the drills you want, but just to see Kiara and Lara go in the back line and how they cope and fit in is really exciting,” Gowans said.

“Giselle is going to play a little bit back, a little bit forward and some time through the ruck as well which I’m looking forward to seeing.”

“It’s exciting to see Holly Cooper, who has come from the Academy and already knows the game plan and what she can bring to the team. She’s a live wire down forward.”

“And then Sarah, she’ll play forward and get a bit of time up on the wing as well. Her foot skills look to be really good and so far, she’s probably been a stand out for us in our match simulations.”

“So it’s a great opportunity for all of them. I think what you will see, if nothing else, is enthusiasm and that can be infectious.”

The side will be also see VFLW train-on players Abbey Martin, Senna Gulden and QBE Sydney Swans Academy product Imogen Brown complete the Round 3 side.

All matches in the 2024 rebel VFLW season will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.

Round Three - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
Saturday, April 6 1pm
Whitten Oval, VIC

The 2024 NAB AFLW Season will commence during the final week of August, with opening round set to coincide with the AFL season's pre-finals bye. The countdown to the side's official pre-season begins on Monday, June 3 but players have begun returning on their own accord to begin their preparations ahead of the 2024 season.

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