When Swans defender Brenna Tarrant found out she had earned her maiden All-Australian blazer, she was halfway across the world.

In her sixth AFLW season, Tarrant led the Swans’ backline, averaging 13.5 disposals, 3.8 tackles and 2.3 intercept marks.

After the career-best season, Tarrant hopped on a plane to Nepal to hike the Annapurna Mountain range.

“I had recently had just such a fascination over the Himalayas and the mountains, I grew up in the middle of the bush in the Blue Mountains, so naturally places like that are like a calling for me,” Tarrant said.

“I just thought it was a really good opportunity to do a two-week long hike and I had the absolute time of my life.”

When she heard the news that she had received the All-Australian gong, she was halfway up a mountain.

“I was in the middle of the Himalayas on a single track next to a bunch of mules and cattle, pulling gas cans on the back of them and I'm just walking on the phone,” Tarrant said.

“I got a call saying, “can you get back to Australia?” … it's like an $8,000 helicopter to get back just to the airport so I really couldn't get back… I was literally stuck.

“I think I sent my agent like the find my iPhone location and said I'm literally just in the middle of nowhere.”

Despite not being able to be presented with her All-Australian blazer on stage at the W Awards, Tarrant said there was nowhere else she would rather be.

“Honestly, despite not being there and not getting my blazer on the night, I think it was such an amazing way to find out,” Tarrant said.

“Being in the place that I've wanted to be in for so long and getting a career milestone like that, I think it was just even more special.

"For me personally, it was cool, I was in a place where I felt really calm and I've just achieved something that I've been working so hard for.”

In addition to her travels, Tarrant also tried her hand at coaching during her break.

“I did some under-22 rep assistant coaching against the Swans and Giants Academies, it was kind of my first proper coaching opportunity, and I think it was really awesome,” Tarrant said.

“I really felt like I could provide some sort of feedback to these girls that haven't quite had a full academy experience or are getting their first proper rep experience who are also really looking to get drafted.

“I hope that I provided some really good feedback for those girls to then pursue their dreams with a bit more of an idea of what to expect.”

Swans players returned to the Club at the beginning of February for optional, off-season training before pre-season kicks off in May.

Tarrant said she had returned refreshed and ready to attack her next training block.

“I feel really clear-minded, after going overseas and knowing where I was last season, I think I know exactly where I need to go with my footy and I know I really also need to improve,” Tarrant said.

“I think I know where I want to go and how I want to take my footy, especially in this pre-season.

“I'm really going to work hard towards that, I've got a nice new mindset that I'm feeling really eager to explore.”

The 2025 AFLW season will begin the week of August 11, with pre-season training to begin on Monday, May 19.