The Sydney Swans AFLW Squad was established in 2022 under the leadership of experienced head coach Scott Gowans.

Ahead of the 2025 season, we confirmed our 2025 AFLW coaching panel, with inaugural Sydney AFLW co-captain Brooke Lochland and former Melbourne and Western Bulldogs player Lachie Hunter joining the ranks. The appointments come as 2005 AFL premiership hero Nick Davis and U16 Girls All-Australian coach Bronwyn Gulden step away from their roles with the team.

Lochland will take on the role of forward-line coach, her appointment part of the AFL’s Women’s Coach Acceleration Program, which supports the progression of women into senior coaching roles across men’s and women’s competitions.

A 2018 premiership player with the Western Bulldogs, Lochland was co-captain of the Swans’ inaugural AFLW side in 2022. The All-Australian forward retired at the end of last season after 64 AFLW games.

Hunter, who played 199 AFL games – including in the Western Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership – will coach the backline. He joins the Swans with a wealth of elite-level experience and a strong reputation for leadership.

Meanwhile, Tanya Hetherington will move into the midfield coaching position, after spending the past two seasons as forward-line coach.

At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Scott Gowans called time on his role at the club, after four seasons at the helm.

After being instrumental in building Sydney’s inaugural AFLW team, Gowans has made the difficult decision to part ways with the Swans and seek other opportunities.

Under Gowans’ leadership the Swans reached the AFLW finals in the club’s second season in the competition, and the team has established solid foundations for future success.

The Sydney Swans will immediately begin the search to recruit a new AFLW senior coach.