The Sydney Swans have bolstered their AFLW list with Brooke Lochland and Sarah Dargan to pull on the red and white.
Lochland, a premiership player with the Western Bulldogs, holds the record for the most goals kicked in an AFLW game, while Dargan joins the Swans after having played for both Collingwood and Richmond.
Sydney’s Executive General Manager AFLW Kate Mahony said the pair will bring valuable experience to the team.
“Brooke arrives at the club as a premiership player, having also vice-captained at the Western Bulldogs,” Mahony said.
“We know she will bring not only expertise, but also a real high-performance mindset having been an elite speed skater before playing AFLW.
“Brooke has played a big role mentoring younger players and will continue to do the same for us.
“Meanwhile Sarah will be looking to really solidify her place in AFLW, and she also brings experience, having played at the top level with Richmond.
“We are thrilled to welcome both Brooke and Sarah to our AFLW team.”
Brooke Lochland
Recruited from: Western Bulldogs
Height: 159cm
DOB: 03/05/1991
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Drafted in 2016, Brooke Lochland arrives at the Swans with six seasons of AFLW experience to her name. A premiership player at the Western Bulldogs, Lochland was named AFLW All Australian in 2018.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Lochland began playing football at a junior level. However, with no pathway to professional AFL at the time she pursued a career in speed skating, where she reached a career-high ranking of 5th in the world.
AFLW coach Scott Gowans said:
“Brooke is a midfielder who plays forward. She possesses impressive speed and is able to drive the ball forward and kick goals.
“From being on the world stage with her speed skating, to her time at the Bulldogs where she was a premiership player, Brooke is going to be a huge asset to this team.
“In gaining Brooke, we gain her knowledge of the AFLW journey, and we believe she’ll drive those standards and help our younger athletes grow.”
Sarah Dargan
Recruited from: Richmond
Height: 165cm
DOB: 03/02/99
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Sarah Dargan joins the Swans having played 25 games of AFLW to date. Drafted by Collingwood in 2017, the 23-year-old played three seasons for the Magpies, earning a Rising Star nomination in 2019 before making the move to Richmond in 2021.
Dargan grew up in Melbourne in an AFL loving family. She began playing junior football in division one of the Northern Football League, before playing three years with Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup. Dargan went on to represent Vic Metro for three years, where she guided the side to the 2015 AFL Youth Girls National Championships title.
AFLW coach Scott Gowans said:
“Sarah is strong midfielder who has played forward most of her career – and she has played over 200 games of footy in her life, which is incredible for a 23-year-old.
“Together with a very accurate kick, Sarah has great footy IQ. She is a good user of the ball, has a high disposal efficiency and is willing to apply defensive pressure.
“She is someone who has been waiting for that opportunity to shine and showcase her talent, and we’re confident she will do just that at the Swans.”
It’s Game On for the Sydney Swans entry into the AFLW competition commencing in 2022. Follow along the Sydney Swans AFLW journey on our new social media channels on Instagram and Twitter.
