Four changes have been made for Round 5 against the Western Bulldogs. AFLW senior coach Scott Gowans has confirmed his side who will run out in the red V for the very first time.
Star ruck Ally Morphett will make her return to the team after being managed for two weeks alongside young draftee Lara Hausegger who was omitted from last week's Sydney Derby. Eliza Vale rejoins the team after kicking off the season in Round 1 and 2.
23-year-old Paige Sheppard is set to play her first game this season. The midfielder played nine of 10 matches in Season 2022 and eight matches in 2023.
The raft of new changes is expected to help manage the team, which will see the club play three games in 10 days as part of the new AFL split round. Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, Gowans said it will test the depth of the squad.
"Paige will come back in this week, Eliza also back through the midfield and Lara as well being in her first season. She's learning a lot coming into the side and going back out," he said.
"It's important that our squad is ready to go with the compressed week coming up - the game Friday night, then Wednesday night in Melbourne and then back in Sydney on Sunday. It's going to really test our depth and we're looking forward to getting a few players through the team."
Round 5 will be an exciting occasion for a number of reasons. The Grand Final Eve clash will mark the first time the AFLW team will run out in the historic red V. The strip was first worn from 1932 to 1986 and only made a permanent return for all Victorian games for the AFL team in 2022.
Number 25 Sofia Hurley shared her excitement for pulling on the guernsey this weekend.
“I played juniors at the South Melbourne Districts in Albert Park, which is where the club started, so I’ve always had a soft spot for the Swans,” Hurley shared.
“[I’ve met] Peter Bedford who was a Brownlow Medal winner for South Melbourne. I wore the red V as a junior so I’m very excited to wear it now.”
The Bulldogs match will also coincide with co-captain Lucy McEvoy's 50th career game. The versatile forward and defender made her AFLW debut in 2020 for Carlton. She played 33 games for the Blues before making the move to the harbour city ahead of the 2023 season.
The last time the Swans played the Bulldogs was in Round 8 of last year. The red and white won by 57 points on Mission Whitten Oval, however Gowans is not underestimating the side under new leadership.
"Western Bulldogs were very impressive against Collingwood. They have a new coach this year, they're starting to learn their system," he said.
"But if our pressure is up and we can get our ball movement going like we did last weekend, we'll be in with a good chance."
