The Sydney Swans AFLW team has claimed a 30-point victory over cross-town rivals GWS Giants in a pre-season match simulation at Tom Wills Oval on Friday afternoon.
The match is one of two pre-season hit-outs before the Swans' AFLW season officially kicks off on Friday, August 15 at North Sydney Oval.
Sydney kicked the first goal of the match through new draftee Zippy Fish, who took an intercept mark off the half-back line, before earning a 50m penalty and slotting a set shot from the goal square.
The Giants took a five-point lead into the first change after the home side kicked the next two majors but it was all red and white from the second term onwards.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy alumni Amelia Martin put forward a strong case for a Round 1 debut, the 18-year-old kicking her first goal of the match in the second quarter after getting on the end of fellow new Swan Lulu Pullar's kick inside 50.
Giselle Davies spent time across all three areas of the ground, performing strongly in the ruck, impacting in defence and kicking back-to-back goals in the second quarter when up forward.
Midfield coach Tanya Hetherington said Davies played her role strongly wherever she lined up.
"Giselle today was the ultimate utility, and she did fantastic in every single role that she played today," Hetherington said.
"She did a bit of ruck, back and forward I think she covered every area, but she showed her aerial strength which is probably the best part of her game, so who knows where she'll line up next week."
After some better ball movement in the second quarter, and solid performances around the contest from Sofia Hurley, Laura Gardiner and Montana Ham, Sydney took a nine-point lead at halftime.
New Swan Jas Grierson was influential against her former side, the defender taking charge in the backline and taking impressive intercept marks, while being well supported by Alice Mitchell who had some nice defensive acts.
A slick passage of play in the forward pocket from Tanya Kennedy and Hurley led to an impressive goal on the run from Martin for her second, and to give the Swans a 22-point lead heading to the final change.
Returning from injury, tall Ally Morphett was imposing in the ruck, while second-year Swan Lara Hausegger showed glimpses, spending time in the forward line and being rotated through the midfield.
Star midfielder Montana Ham capped the win with a terrific goal, running from 50m and taking a couple of bounces into an open goal square to secure the 3.5.23 to 7.10.53 victory.
Hetherington said the match simulation was a good chance to try different combinations ahead of the season commencing in August.
"In these games you wanted to see as many players play as many positions as possible whilst getting a good team result, and I think we achieved that today," Hetherington said.
"Individual performances is always what you're looking for but probably the ability to keep playing our way whilst rotating the magnets and I think you know individually people like you know Jas Grierson was fantastic today in the back line but we would have rotated about 10 players I think through the midfield and I think all of them could say that they did something that brought their strengths.
"I think it's just again building the connection with the group because you know we want to be versatile and I think we showed that today but we then want to start connecting no matter where we're playing, that the game still looks the same so I think we'll look at that next week."
GWS 2.5.23
SYDNEY 7.10.53
Goals
Sydney: Giselle Davies (2), Amelia Martin (2), Zippy Fish, Montana Ham, Sofia Hurley
Next week, Sydney will travel to Brisbane for an official practice match on Saturday, August 2 at 12.30pm at Brighton Homes Arena.
