Alex Neyland’s journey to become a Swan is one of perseverance and dedication.
The Cardiff Hawks product spent five years in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy before her name was read out by AFL CEO Andrew Dillon at the AFLW Draft on Monday night.
Hailing from the Hunter Valley, 120 kilometres north of Sydney, Neyland’s family spent up to five hours commuting to and from Moore Park to provide her the opportunity to get drafted.
“My family's definitely been my number one supporter, like my sister, we go to the field nearly every single day and did kicking together,” Neyland said.
“My mum, she would give me every single opportunity that she could and so yeah, I just think my support system with the academy and my family is the only reason I'm here, 100%”.
In 2024, Neyland ruptured her ACL, which meant she missed a large chunk of the last two years.
When her name was called out at pick number six, it was a reward for all her hard work to return to form in the latter end of the year.
“I was just sitting there, I was honestly freaking out, just waiting,” Neyland said.
“You're just waiting there for your name to be called and then when it did, you're just you're filled with joy, it's a surreal moment.
“It’s been so exciting, I'm just so grateful to have even got this opportunity, I'm ecstatic.”
Neyland is a two-time recipient of the Basil Sellars Scholariship, a program that provides an opportunity for young athletes to excel in their chosen sport while receiving holistic support for their overall development.
Neyland said the support she had received from the academy played an important role in getting her on an AFLW list.
“Mentally, they have helped a lot just supporting us girls…understanding how to get there and how to handle situations and pressure,” Neyland said.
“They’ve also just given so many opportunities, kicking practice, training and this facility, they've been great.”
Neyland’s top-age season was not only her return from an ACL injury the year prior, but one where she put her name in top ten draft contention.
She averaged 19 disposals and six tackles in the Coates Talent League and 11 disposals, and three inside 50s at the National Championships for the Allies.
Despite a successful year, the 18-year-old said she wasn’t putting pressure on herself for her first season at the top level.
“My goals, to be honest, are just to ground myself in the team and get back into footy, working hard,” she said.
“I think one thing for me is because it was my first season back, I found a lot of improvements, so just working on them, really. I don't want to over pressure myself, I just get back into it and enjoy myself, really.”
