The Sydney Swans AFLW have commenced their VFLW campaign with a commanding 62-point victory over the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval, Victoria on Saturday afternoon.
Playing for the first time in the VFLW, the red and white line up was filled with plenty of experience and youth for it’s first contest of the 2024 season.
Young midfielder Montana Ham was honoured with captaincy duties and a 20 touches, six tackle, five-goal performance was instrumental in leading the side to a 12.12.84 - 3.4.22 victory.
AFLW Club Champion Laura Gardiner dominated in the midfield and had a busy afternoon with 47 disposals, 14 tackles, seven clearances and four inside 50s while Paige Sheppard and Tanya Kennedy (21 disposals each) and Cynthia and Lexi Hamilton had 16 touches each.
“The most pleasing thing for me was we played as a team and we wanted to work on our connection,” AFLW senior coach Scott Gowans said after the game.
“For our first one, that is pretty good. Team defence was also a focus and I thought we were pretty good anytime the Bulldogs got momentum.”
“We are well aware we are playing VFLW, but you have to start somewhere and I am really happy with that performance as our base.”
“We have always said we wanted to outscore opposition rather than clog a game of football up, so offensively I was probably a little bit more pleased” Gowans said when what impressed him the most.
“But the other thing, the new players to the team, they blended in really well.”
While there were 18 AFLW listed players in the side, the red and white also saw VFLW train-on players Abbey Martin, Imogen Brown and Senna Gulden impress with their opportunity.
Gulden, the sister to AFL midfielder Errol Gulden and daughter to AFLW coach Bronwyn Gulden, commenced proceedings on the afternoon, kicking the side’s first major of the afternoon.
Forward and QBE Sydney Swans Academy product also shone with speed and power kicking three goals while draftees Sarah Grunden (13 disposals, four tackles and four inside-50s) and Lara Hausegger (nine disposals) were strong.
“Imogen Brown played really well on the wing and took the game on,” Gowans said of some of the new faces.
“She took a couple of bounces and you have to have confidence to do that so that is really exciting.”
“Giselle Davies provided a target down forward and did some work in the ruck as well.”
“And Sarah Grunden, the way she used the football. You can probably speak about all of them to be honest, but they were probably the ones that stood out today.
“Abbey Martin and Senna Gulden, who kicked a goal, it’s exciting to have those players that can blend in with the AFLW players and provide us with a really good, solid VFLW squad.”
Sydney Swans VFLW 12.12.84 (Goals: Ham (5), Cooper (3), Beruldsen (2), C Hamilton, Gulden)
Western Bulldogs VFLW 3.4.22
The Swans will host North Melbourne in Round Four on Saturday, April 13.
All matches in the 2024 rebel VFLW season will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
Sydney Swans VFLW fixture
R3 v Western Bulldogs, Whitten Oval, VIC - Saturday, April 6 1pm
R4 v North Melb, Henson Park - Saturday, April 13 1:05pm
R5 v Casey Demons, Blacktown International Sports Park- Saturday, April 20 1:05pm
R6 v Box Hill, Box Hill City Oval - Sunday, April 28 3:35pm
R7 v Collingwood, Tramway Oval - Saturday, May 4 12pm
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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