Sydney Swans veteran Rebecca Privitelli has announced her retirement from the AFLW.
The 30-year-old hangs up the boots following 64 games across nine seasons and three clubs, including 36 for Sydney.
Drafted to Carlton for the inaugural AFLW season in 2017, Privitelli played five of seven games before moving to GWS as a delisted free agent, where she played for three seasons.
In 2022, Privitelli joined the Sydney Swans and was a member of the club’s inaugural AFLW leadership group. The forward will forever be etched in Swans history after kicking the club’s first-ever AFLW goal.
Privitelli told her teammates on Wednesday morning and said being a Swan was the proudest moment of her career.
“The AFL has been part of who I am for as long as I can remember, it’s shaped some of the biggest decisions in my life, none bigger than moving to Sydney eight years ago,” Privitelli said.
“To Scott (Gowans) and Kate (Mahony), thank you for giving me the opportunity to come to this amazing club and be a part of something so special back in season one.
"To the girls, there's only a small amount of us that have been here since the start but seeing the people and leaders that you've grown up to become and the responsibility you've taken to make this club and this team better makes me so proud.
"I leave the game with so much pride and joy, and to be in a position where I’ve given so much is such an honour, and I don't regret a single moment."
Sydney Swans Executive General Manager – AFLW Football, Amanda Turner, thanked Privitelli for her contribution to the club and the game.
“I’d like to congratulate Bec on a fantastic career and thank her for the important role she played in building our program into what it is today,” Turner said.
“Balancing the demands of being an elite athlete with her career as a firefighter is not easy and something she should be incredibly proud of.
“We are grateful for all that Bec has given our club and wish her all the best for the future.”
Sydney has made two other list changes, informing Giselle Davies and Kiara Hillier that they will not be offered new contracts with the club for the 2026 season.
Davies arrived at Sydney from the Gold Coast following the 2023 season and played 13 games in the red and white over two seasons. Hillier joined the Swans in the same year through a trade with the Brisbane Lions and featured in three games last season but was unable to break into the senior side this year.
Turner wished the pair well for the future.
“I’d like to thank Giselle and Kiara for their respective contributions to our club over the past two seasons,” Turner said.
“Since arriving in Sydney, both Giselle and Kiara have been popular and respected members of our playing squad and we wish them all the best for the future.”
