Swans' new draftee Ziporah “Zippy” Fish says she is settling into her new life in Sydney well, crediting the support of her new teammates for the smooth transition.  

Fish was taken by the Swans with their first pick in last year’s AFLW Draft after a dominant season for East Fremantle.

While moving across the country would be daunting for any 18-year-old, Fish said she was enjoying her time in the Harbour City.  

“I think I've settled well, my dad moved over with me which made the move a little bit easier and my family were all behind me and really supportive,” Fish said. 

“I've met all the girls now and we’ve been doing some off-season training which has been helpful. 

“Lexi (Hamilton), Giselle (Davies) and Kiara (Hillier) have been really great and invited me to their house to hang out on off days but also just around the club as well.” 

Although the team hasn't officially started pre-season training, with the side completing optional off-season sessions at the Club, Fish said she was adjusting well to the change in training standard.  

“Down at East Fremantle, it was very hardcore, we had an old school coach so the jump hasn't been too much,” Fish said.  

“Coming through that National Academy really set us up well and prepared us for what an AFLW environment would be like.” 

The 18-year-old recently travelled back to her home state of Western Australia for the AFL Indigenous All Stars Match at Optus Stadium in February.  

It was the first time an Indigenous All Stars match had played in almost a decade and Fish said she had relished the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look.  

“It was one of the coolest experiences I've been a part of,” Fish said. 

“Being amongst that whole environment was so cool, meeting all the other male and female players that were there. 

“When the boys would have a meeting, we'd go in and sit in on it, we went to the Captains’ Run and on game day we got to wander around in amongst it all.” 

As a young Larrakia, Noongar, Wongi and Nunga woman, Fish said the idea of an AFLW Indigenous All Stars game would be an exciting prospect. 

“I think that would be great, watching the boys' match was such a great experience,” Fish said. 

The 2025 AFLW season will kick off in August, with pre-season training to get underway on Monday, May 19.