The Sydney Swans AFLW side has gone down to the Brisbane Lions by 13 points in an official practice match at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday.
Sydney travelled to Queensland for its final pre-season hit out, as the team continue preparations for its Round 1 clash with Richmond at North Sydney Oval on Friday, August 15.
The Swans were left to rue a slow start, with the Lions setting the tone early, hitting the scoreboard within the opening minutes of the match.
First-year Swan Amelia Martin continued her strong form from last week's match simulation and opened the scoring for Sydney, but the away side was no match for Brisbane early, who took a 12-point lead into the first break.
Senior coach Scott Gowans said his side had plenty to work on in the first quarter, however was pleased by the response.
"The first quarter was a bit off, we addressed some things at quarter time and the pleasing thing is the players responded and the last three quarters were really solid, so we'll get a lot out of that," Gowans said.
"Just with the contest again, our shape was a little bit off, effort and intensity were just average, and that's really what we base our game on.
"Once we got that going, everything else seems to go from there, and a little bit of it is the energy that you bring once you do lay a tackle, everyone feels good and off they go, and that almost translates into your ball movement and into everything else you do."
Sydney increased their pressure and started moving the ball more effectively in the second term, with midfielder Montana Ham kicking the Swans' second.
Co-captain Chloe Molloy successfully played a half of football as she made her return from an ACL injury, the 26-year-old having an immediate impact.
"Yeah, just great to see her out there, and I haven't spoken to her yet, but I'm assuming she enjoyed it," Gowans said.
"She impacted, you can hear her voice, and she sets other players up, and it's not so much what she does with the ball, we know that she's going to do things with the ball, but it's just the leadership and the ability to help Lucy drive the standards, which is really important.
"At quarter time, she really got the group in and got them going, so just great to see her back."
After trailing by 13 points at halftime, the game was predominantly played in Sydney's forward 50 in the second half.
Fantastic defensive pressure by ex-Lion Lulu Pullar resulted in a clever goal from electric small forward Holly Cooper, but the Swans were unable to make the Lions pay on the scoreboard, despite being in control for the majority of the half.
Ham was dominant both in the midfield and up forward, showing that she will be one to watch in 2025.
Final quarter goals to veteran Rebecca Privitelli and co-captain Lucy McEvoy weren't enough to trim the margin for the Swans, with last year's grand finalist proving they will again be a contender, running out 7.7 (49) to 5.6 (36) winners.
Gowans said strong performances from several Swans would provide plenty of selection headaches ahead of the team's season opener at North Sydney Oval on August 15.
"I think it's an interesting selection dilemma we've got because we're fairly fit and playing pretty well, it's a bit of a headache, but that's all right," Gowans said.
"Buy your tickets early, from what I'm hearing, they're selling pretty fast, which is great.
"It'll be a beautiful night, come down and see and support the girls, they're up and about, and if we can get off to a good start, it'll set us up for the first part of the season."
BRISBANE 7.7.49
SYDNEY 5.6.36
Goals
Sydney: Martin, Ham, Cooper, Privitelli, McEvoy
Best
Ham, Cooper, Mitchell, Pullar
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