This week marks another momentous occasion for the football club, the AFLW program and the wider NSW/ACT AFL community. The Sydney Derby, a contest between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants will be held on the SCG and mark the first ever AFLW fixture on the historic Sydney ground.

Before we deep dive into this week’s match-up, let’s take a brief look back at the week that was, and the game against Collingwood, which unfortunately resulted in a 31-point loss. Throughout the first two quarters, it was evident that the playing group were up for the competitive nature of the game and matched it with Collingwood around the contest. It couldn’t have started any better with Aliesha Newman kicking her first goal for the club, against her old side inside 30 seconds. Throughout moments, we showed glimpses of good ball movement from the back half, but unfortunately couldn’t take our opportunities in front of goal.

As suspected, Collingwood came out with a blistering start in the second half, and the group found it hard to halt momentum in critical stages of the game. The players found a way to stick it out and bring the heat up a notch in the last, but unfortunately Collingwood were too good on the day. There were plenty of key learnings and growths to be taken from the match as we look to be able to implement a four quarter performance against the GIANTS this weekend.

Despite the loss there were some highlights from the weekend's game including the debuts of Kate Reynolds and Sarah Ford as well as Alana Woodward's shutdown performance on Collingwood's Eliza James. Molly Eastman also had a fantastic game, topping the disposals for the second week in a row and had an equal-game high ten tackles.

Looking ahead to this week's challenge, the GIANTS bring a game-plan built on quick transition, use of spread, and skill from the back half of the ground. They like to take the game on and aren’t afraid to take risks with the footy in hand. They bring this new style of play under their new Senior Coach Cameron Bernasconi, who also has come through the talent coaching pathway in NSW/ACT, as have many other members of the coaching and staffing groups across the two clubs, myself included.

Saturday afternoon, 2:40pm at the SCG provides a fantastic opportunity for the local Sydney fans to witness not only the first ever AFLW Sydney Derby, but also plenty of home-grown talent. The two Sydney based lists are comprised of 34 players from NSW/ACT. These players all have had different journeys and pathways to the AFLW, but more recently through the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, GIANTS Academy and the AFL NSW/ACT Summer and Winter for a combined for a total of 19 athletes on the two lists.

It’s going to be a great occasion for the club, and we all look forward to seeing as many of you in support as possible. Go Swans!

Sydney Swans NSW players

#3 Sarah Ford - East Coast Eagles (born in VIC but played with Eagles when moved to NSW)

#6 Ruby Sargent-Wilson - Southern Power

#7 Ally Morphett - Belconnen Magpies

#8 Alice Mitchell - Mosman Swans/Gunnedah Bulldogs

#10 Cynthia Hamilton - Queanbeyan Tigers

#12 Ella Heads - Inner West Magpies

#14 Maddy Collier - UNSW/ES Bulldogs

#17 Zoe Hurrell - North Shore Bombers

#20 Brenna Tarrant - East Coast Eagles

#21 Lisa Steane - Manly Wolves

#26 Kiara Beesley - Southern Power

#27 Tiarne Cavanagh- (from Rugby Union)

#30 Alexia Hamilton - Queanbeyan Tigers

#34 Kate Reynolds - North Shore Bombers

GWS GIANTS NSW players

#1 Em Goodsir - Manly Wolves

#3 Alyce Parker - Thurgoona Bulldogs

#5 Jess Doyle - Manly Wolves

#6 Rebecca Besson - UNSW Bulldogs

#7 Zarlie Goldsworthy - Murray Bushranger

#8 Nicola Barr - North Shore Bombers

#16 Isadora McLeay - North Shore Bombers

#17 Georgia Garnett - East Coast Eagles

#18 Tarni Evans - Queanbeyan Tigers

#19 Grace Hill - UTS Bats

#24 Haneen Zreika - Auburn Giants

#25 Cambridge McCormick - Eastlake Demons

#26 Georgina Fowler - East Coast Eagles

#28 Casidhe Simmons - UNSW Bulldogs

#29 Jodie Hicks - Macquarie University 

#30 Ally Dallaway - East Coast Eagles

#31 Brodie Mowbray - Southern Power

#33 Emily Pease - Belconnen Magpies

#35 Zara Hamilton - Belconnen Magpies

#40 Tess Cattle - Ainsle Football Club