Sarah Grunden has continued to settle into the side ahead of the Swans third AFLW campaign. But while the forward is realising her dream as an elite athlete, without Grunden's father her future might have looked different.  

At just seven years of age Grunden’s dad started a female football team so that she could play. This month, Sarah and the Swans AFLW team attended the first ever league-wide AFLW Community Camp designed for all-girls participation. 

“(The Community Camp) was awesome. When I was seven, there was probably only one in five girls playing. It was really good to see how many girls were at the camp and how far footy for girls has come," Grunden told Sydney Swans Media. 

From a young age she went on to play in the Coates Talent League for the Western Jets and Calder Cannon, before appearing in Essendon’s VFLW side in 2023. After a dominant season she caught the eye of the Swans and was recruited with pick 16 of the 2023 AFLW Draft.

That night, AFLW Coach Scott Gowans surprised the medium forward at her family home in Keilor, Victoria.

“It was really funny, but being with Scotty now, he's a really good coach and I wouldn't want anyone else as my coach. Seeing him at my front door was really special," she recalled.

“He's really big on selfless acts. Coming into the team, I think that's something that I hold myself to and him being someone who I look up to is really good.”

Among the squad the 19-year-old says she looks up to teammate Cynthia Hamilton.

“On and off the field, she's a great human being. Especially her use of the ball and the way she plays footy is someone I really look up to.”

The Swans will open the 2024 NAB AFLW season on August 30 when they play Collingwood on North Sydney Oval. There is just seven weeks left of pre-season preparation and while she hopes to play her first AFLW game, Grunden is eager to learn more. 

“Just seeing how everything works is really good to see and just how invested everyone is in the program. It's just really cool to see how well the club's doing and what we can do for the season.”

Grunden was one of two draftees to sign contract extensions ahead of the 2024 season this week. She will remain with the club until at least the end of 2025.

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