Sydney Swans AFLW coach Scott Gowans has spoken to the media ahead of the side’s inaugural clash against St Kilda at North Sydney Oval this weekend.

See the key quotes below.

What has the side learnt and focussed on over the last two match simulations?

We broke down the GWS match simulation and it was the first look at how we go against an opposition that doesn’t know what we are doing.

We got components of that, and decided our ball movement was something we really wanted to focus on so we did that and built from that.

It was a good lesson against Collingwood for the girls to learn how physical AFLW is and we got some great lessons out of that.

We knew we were at a certain point and thought we were okay with elements of team defence, but it was all about ball movement, stoppages and how do we actually score which is the way we want to play.

What will Kate Reynolds bring to the squad?

Kate is a really exciting prospect and will be the tallest player in the AFLW. Her craft in the ruck is really good and she will also bring intensity because she is a very intense footballer that loves the contest.

At that size and that sort of craft, we thought the opportunity was too good to not have her on the list.

Is your strength in the ruck something you will be looking to capitalise on against St Kilda?

It will be conditions based, watching the weather but also what we can do up front with them. It will test a lot of the team defences, even if they don’t mark, but they will bring the ball to ground and part of the challenge is getting the ball forward.

It will be a mix of what is needed on the day, if it’s hit out and clearances versus, the ability to throw three talls forward and that is a unique look in AFLW.

What is the mood amongst the group heading into the first game?

It’s a mix of both nerves and excitement. There is some apprehension as well, because there is a good core of the team that have waited multiple years to get this opportunity.

I said to the group this morning, if you look at the opportunity as years of work not just nine years of work, it is going back and focussing on why we got you on the list and a lot of the traits that the girls have exhibited for multiple years so don’t overthink it.

We could be a little unpredictable in the way we play and it will be a little chaotic as well because there is nervousness and excitement mixed with the opportunity finally coming.

We will let the side settle, but I expect we will see lots of intensity and effort but not too much structure but that is absolutely fine. We will try gain momentum with the effort and intensity.

What are you expecting from the girls this year and what would be a good result from your expectations?

Expectations is an interesting conversation. If we want to build something great, we have to start with the expectation of being great.

Our first win is going to be amazing but I am actually more focussed on our second win. The gap between your first and second win, if that is only a week, then you know you are on the right road to success.

We will absolutely celebrate the first win, and if it happens to come this Saturday that will be great, but it is really when do we win that second game. That will be the measure I will use, internally anyway, to measure where we are at.

The expectation is we win and that will be the same each week.

On Cynthia Hamilton

Anyone that wears a helmet like she wears in Sydney colours is pretty passionate. The Hamilton’s are passionate, her sister Lexi is the same, but Cynthia will play forward and a little bit of midfield time as well.

She will develop as a mid longer term. Her craft to win contested footy is incredible and once she builds her tank up a little bit, she will definitely spend more time in the midfield.

She is a hard match up because she is one of those players that can turn left and right so she has that unique balance where she identifies where the trouble is and heads the other way more often than not.

If I had to pick one player that would be a fan favourite, it would be Cynthia.

Who else should be on Swans fans radar?

Montana Ham is another young star that has shone at junior level and her transition so far into being able to compete in match simulation and practice matches has been amazing. I think she is a future star of the competition, probably talent wise, equal with any player I have coached but of course she still has to prove herself at this level.

This year is a growth year for Montana, she is balancing school and will get that out of the way this year and grow into football, so anything she does this year is a bonus.

For her to be able to experience a little bit of football this year, knowing season 2 is where I expect her to come in and make a real impact, it would be great for fans to get on board and watch her grow.

But I also think there are a number of other players to watch. Our captain, Lauren Szigeti, is a great story. She missed out multiple times, has been told no for different reasons but her determination to lift her athletic ability to where it is today, the competition to get the most growth out of her programs and to just drive standards, she is one to watch and I am very excited to see how she goes on the weekend as well.

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