The involvement of women in AFL was celebrated yesterday when the Sydney Swans held their annual Ladies Lunch at Daltone House in Pyrmont.

After the crowd entered the picturesque venue, host of proceedings Sandra Sully invited wife of captain Brett Kirk, Hayley Smithers, onto the stage.

In her endearing welcome speech, Hayley explained how her love for AFL has definitely grown since marrying the Swans leader. The former Wagga girl grew up amongst a family of league followers and said she knew little about the sport prior to meeting Brett.

She talked about how they met at university, and with his hippy tendencies, thought she had “bagged a surfy guy”, only to quickly discover his passion was for AFL. In the eleven years since, she has learned a whole new AFL vocabulary; a ‘clearance’ is not just about a Sass & Bide sale, ‘handball’ is not played with a tennis ball on cement squares and even though she knew the cliché about putting in 100 per cent, in AFL the one-percenters matter.

Lunch proceedings continued and Swans Ambassador Rebecca Wilson, who was a roving reporter on the floor, had Ted Richards and his mum Joanna first up on her interview list.

Joanna told the audience that Ted is one of five children and it’s the other children who have helped her cope with the defenders relocation to Sydney. She said as a youngster Ted loved to climb and he was always active, but that he is living his dream by being at the Swans playing AFL football.

Ted paid tribute to his Mum for being his greatest supporter, as well as a taxi driver and chef whilst he was growing up, even though there were four other children to look after.

At a later stage, Rebecca had Amon Buchanan and new recruit Nick Smith by her side. It was Amon’s first Ladies Lunch and he said he was feeling a tad flustered with so many women in the room. Nick, who has just moved out of home to be at the Swans, admitted he took his mum doing his washing and cleaning for granted. Rebecca graciously offered to do his laundry for him.

A panel consisting of Hayley Smithers, Liz Jackson (wine maker for McGuingans Wines, who generously supplied the drinks on the day), Rebecca Wilson and Swans stars Tadhg Kennelly and Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt discussed an array of topics on stage, including family support, media coverage, drugs in sport and of course the Swans.

Around the room the ladies could treat themselves with a makeover by the wonderful girls at the Benefit powder room, or a manicure or massage in the pamper room. Some of the players got in the spirit of things and joined in on the relaxing and beautifying sessions, much to the delight of the crowd.

The event attracted a stellar guest-list, including Raelene Boyle, Anna Coren, Tom Williams, Debra Knight, Natarsha Belling, Sara Groen, Sami Lukis, Ajay Rochester and Tracey Holmes.

Players’ wives and girlfriends added to the glamour of the day with Sarah Barry, Kath Mathews, Amy Fosdike, Deanne Jolly, Emma Orr, Tara Duggan, Lynette Carroll and obviously Hayley Smithers in attendance.

The Sydney Swans support of the Breast Cancer Network was also discussed during the lunch and an announcement was made about the ‘Field of Women’ event that will run at the Round 19 St Kilda match at Telstra Stadium. The Breast Cancer Network’s CEO Lyn Swinburne said they are thrilled to have the Sydney Swans onboard and told all the women and men in the room to go to www.fieldofwomen.org.au to register and be apart of this memorable event.

The Sydney Swans would like to thank everyone who supported the Ladies Lunch.