AFLW senior coach Scott Gowans has confirmed his team to take on Essendon this Wednesday night with a new look side to run out onto Mission Whitten Oval.
Among the outs this week is All-Australian ruck Ally Morphett who will unfortunately remain sidelined due to a fractured foot, and young forward Montana Ham who is being managed with foot soreness.
Into the team returns Giselle Davies, Brenna Tarrant, Brooke Lochland and Maddy Collier. Key forward Bella Smith will join the team for the first time after missing out on selection earlier this season. She played 11 from 12 matches in 2023 and will not doubt bring height to the forward line.
Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, Gowans says the changes should bring balance across the field.
"I felt last week we just needed a little bit of composure at times. And so we decided that we would bring in the experience, spread it across the field and just give us that little bit of footy IQ and composure as things get tough," Gowans shared.
He continued, speaking on Davies and Smith, "We needed some targets down forward and just a chop at it in the ruck as well now that Ally Morphett isn't playing. It also gives us a good look that if we do get in trouble down defensive 50, we can throw one of them down there as well. It's a much more balanced side this week for Essendon."
Essendon is expected to carry plenty of confidence into Round 6A after holding the Melbourne Demons to just one goal and one behind in Round 5. Gowans says his team will need to start strong early.
"They've been playing good footy all year. They move the ball really well. They tend to play a little bit wider than we do. But what they do is they hit each other up and use the ball really well. So we have to apply pressure and come forward at them."
