Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O'Riordan has confirmed his side for the Sydney Derby making four changes to the red and white line up.
Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O'Riordan has confirmed his red and white line up for the upcoming Round 5 Sydney Derby clash at Henson Park this Sunday (September 13).
Coming off a defeat to the Western Bulldogs, O'Riordan has made four changes to his line up, welcoming back forwards Taylor Smith and Paris McCarthy while Lulu Pullar and Jas Grierson return from injury, joining the backline.
Pullar returns from a shoulder injury sustained in Round One of the 2026 season while Grierson will play her first game of the season, returning from a calf injury.
Ally Morphett (suspension), Lexi Hamilton (suspension), Molly Thomas (omitted) and Brenna Tarrant (knee) are the outs this week.
The Round 5 fixture will be the side's first appearance at Henson Park this season, the first of four home games at the venue in 2026.
O'Riordan said the side was excited about returning home for a special Sydney Derby - the club's 50th AFLW fixture in his history.
"It's really exciting. The Sydney Derby is a special game on the calendar for us," O'Riordan said.
"We expect and hope for a large crowd at Henson Park, it gives the players such a lift. So hopefully everyone can come out in the red and white and cheer us on from the stands and the hill."
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While the Swans have a 3-1 start to the season, the Giants currently sit 14th on the ladder with a 1-3 record to start their campaign.Â
However O'Rioridan is not underestimating the opposition, predicting a tough, intense encounter.
"They've been in a lot of contests and where they're sitting on the ladder doesn't accurately reflect how many close games they've been in and derbys take a life of their own," O'Riordan said.
"We know exactly what the Giants are. They're a good footy team so we've got to respect their pressure and respect their heat.
"They've been in a lot of close games this year so we're looking forward to a really good game, a really highlight contested game of footy and hopefully Sunday afternoon we can leave Henson Park happy."
This Sunday will be our first home game of AFLW at Henson Park this season. We are encouraging all members and fans to Turn Up, Change her Game this Sunday for a massive Sydney Derby.
The Swans and Giants rivalry goes deep and fuels every tackle, contest and moment.
But what happens in the stands matters just as much as what happens on the field.
Every fan. Every ticket. Every voice in the crowd helps grow AFLW and create opportunities for the next generation of women.
So while we will be rivals for four quarters, we're united by one goal: breaking the AFLW attendance record at Henson Park.
The Sydney Swans have secured a 31-point victory over GWS Giants at Henson Park on Sunday afternoon.
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