The Sydney Swans are just one week out from taking part in practice matches ahead of the 2026 Smithy's VFL Season. Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, newly-appointed VFL head coach Nick Malceski is eager to test the side after months of pre-season training.
The Swans will take on the GWS Giants at Henson Park next Thursday from 7:30pm, as part of a double-header in the AFL's AAMI Community Series.
"They're all training really well. I think the big key thing will be when we play Giants next week, just to see how they go against opposition and under a bit of pressure," Malceski revealed.
The VFL-listed squad was announced this week with a host of returning players including last year's captain Nic Shipley as well as Jack Kluske, Pierce Roseby, Joe Harrison and Harry Cameron.
Several new recruits from Victoria have also been added to side from Corowa Rutherglen Football Club, including Angus Curry, Tom Forrest, Jedd Longmire and Raymond Murphy.
"We've got a few recruits from Melbourne, so it'll give me a great opportunity to see where they fit in the side and who's up to playing at the level."
Malceski is hoping to reflect a similar game style to Swans' senior side "for a smooth transition up into our AFL system". The club's VFL program has proved to be an important pathway for QBE Sydney Swans Academy top end athletes such as Max King, Noah Chamberlain and Harry Kyle who were drafted in 2025.
The Swans will open the 2026 VFL season Box Hill Hawks on Friday, March 20 at the Kennedy Community Centre at 12:35pm. The match follows a Thursday night AFL match at the MCG between the two senior teams - double the action for Victorian members and fans.
The Smithy’s VFL campaign will feature 21 home and away rounds, with every club to play 18 matches and have three byes.
The top 10 teams on the Smithy’s VFL ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season will qualify for the finals series, which will commence with two Wildcard Finals on the weekend of August 22-23. The finals series will again be played across five weeks and will conclude with the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final on the weekend of September 19-20.
All matches in the 2026 Smithy’s VFL season and 2026 VFLW season will be broadcast live and free via AFL.com.au, the AFL Live Official App and the VFL App.
The past Premiership player and Swans Hall of Famer was appointed VFL head coach in the off-season, taking the helm from Jarrad McVeigh who held the position for 12 months.
After retiring at the end of 2016, Malceski joined the Gold Coast Suns coaching ranks as a development coach and the club’s NEAFL Head Coach. He took on the role of Head Coach of the Labrador Tigers in the QAFL in 2020 and was named the AFLQ Senior Coach of the Year in 2021.
Malceski rejoined the Suns as a development coach in 2023 where he has spent the past two years.
