The Sydney Swans AFLW side suffered a disappointing 49-point loss to the Hawthorn Hawks at the SCG in a practice match on Saturday, August 17.
Coming off a dominant victory over the GWS Giants the week prior, the red and white side fielded a mix of youth and experience for their final pre-season fixture.
A tightly contested opening quarter saw just one-point separating the two teams at the quarter time break, with young midfielder Sofia Hurley leading the way with nine disposals and three tackles to start the clash while Sarah Grunden kicked the side’s first major of the afternoon.
The Hawks built a lead in the second but it was Swans forward Rebecca Privitelli who tried to lift the red and white, kicking her first goal of the afternoon before the half time break.
Privitelli, who was ruled out with a foot injury at the end of the 2023 season, impressed in the Swans forward line as she finished with two goals following on last week’s four-goal effort.
The Hawks continued to extend their lead in the final two terms, with Brooke Lochland kicking a late consolation goal.
“They beat us in the contest and that's something we've always wanted to improve since last year, so we've trained it a little bit, but it's just a good little reminder that we've still got work to do,” Gowans said on reflection after the game.
“I think some of our ball movement was good, particularly early on, and then we didn't really drop our heads, so I felt like we tried all day.
“But it just wasn't our day. We had a few things not go our way and lost momentum, so I spoke to the girls about when things don't go your way, it's when you actually need to step up and get the energy going.
"I felt our energy dropped off a little bit when they kicked a couple of goals in a row, but I think pleasingly the ball movement looked all right.”
All-Australian midfielder and 2023 Club Champion Laura Gardiner was the leading disposal winner with 22, as well as six clearances, but the side struggled to break through the Hawks' staunch defensive line.
Hurley impressed throughout registering 17 disposals and eight tackles, while defender Ella Heads (17 disposals), Hayley Bullas (16 disposals) and midfielder Tanya Kennedy (15 disposals) saw plenty of the action
More positively, both Maddy Collier and Bullas continued their successful returns from their respective ACL injuries.
“Ella Heads was quite strong down back, Tanya Kennedy played a role for us and did well while Sophia Hurley in the middle was strong,” Gowans said of his standouts.
“It was just that we didn't have players step up and have those outstanding games that you need to win games of footy.”
SYDNEY 1.2 2.3 3.4 4.4 (28)
HAWTHORN 1.1 6.4 9.8 11.11 (77)
Goals: Rebecca Privitelli 2, Brooke Lochland, Sarah Grunden
Major ball-winners: Laura Gardiner (22), Ella Heads (17), Sofia Hurley (17), Hayley Bullas (16), Tanya Kennedy (15)
The practice match was the side’s final pre-season fixture before they open the AFLW season against Collingwood in a Friday night blockbuster at North Sydney Oval on August 30.
"It's going to be fantastic, and hopefully we put on a better performance than that, which I'm sure we will," Gowans said looking ahead to the season opener.
"The main thing is that we just put on a good show for the fans that'll turn out and it'll be a great Friday night of footy no doubt."
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