We're headed back to Melbourne this week for a clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium this Thursday night. Read all the top headlines in this week's edition of Red and White News, presented by 7+Sport. 

Edwards and Cootee to debut

Will Edwards and Billy Cootee have been selected to make their AFL debuts in Thursday night’s match against the Dogs. 

Edwards, a QBE Sydney Swans Academy athlete, was recruited to the Swans as a Category B Rookie in the 2022 NAB AFL Rookie Draft. Cootee, a mature age selection from Norwood in the SANFL, was taken with pick 42 in the 2025 Draft.

Read more about their journey to the big stage, here.

02:53

Debutants call their Dads

We captured the special moments Will Edwards and Billy Cootee called their Dad's to let them know of their debuts on Thursday night.

70,000 members in record time

Last week it was announced that the club reached 70,000 members in record time. Ahead of our Sydney Derby clash last Friday night the club’s official membership tally was 70,361, the earliest we have ever reached the milestone in any one season.

The milestone has been made possible by the incredible support of loyal members from South Melbourne to Sydney and right across Australia.

Last year, Sydney broke its all-time membership record with 75,165 members, and with a significant portion of the men’s season still to play and the looming AFLW season, the club’s focus now turns to its goal of 80,000 members in 2026.

Read more about the milestone, here.

Cox: "That's the way we'll be preparing our players..."

Senior coach Dean Cox appeared in his weekly press conference this week ahead of our Round 7 clash with the Dogs. Speaking on the opposition, Cox said his side would be preparing for a tough game, despite the Dogs suffering several injuries. 

"They've shown for most parts of this season that they're one of the best teams in the competition and that's the way we'll be preparing our players because what they have out on the football field is still an unbelievable football team."

09:29

"We'll prepare for them at their best" - Cox

Hear from Swans senior coach Dean Cox as he addresses the media ahead of our Round 7 clash with Bulldogs.

Blakey wins Kirk-Ward medal, tops coaches votes

Defender Nick Blakey has been recognised for his elite performance against the GWS Giants on Friday night. Blakey claimed his first Kirk-Ward medal as Best on Ground after finishing the match with 34 disposals and a goal - his characteristic runs lighting up the SCG with the 26-year old also registering 882 metres gained.

On Monday Blakey polled a perfect 10 coaches votes for the same game. 

The AFL Coaches Association’s AFL Champion Player Award is an award voted by the 18 coaching panels on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort by an individual player in a season.

Next home game: Round 8 v Melbourne 

Sunday afternoon footy is returning to the SCG for the first time this season when we come up against an in-form Melbourne Demons outfit. 

Join us in Moore Park on May 3 and head to Sydney Swans HQ early to enjoy games, giveaways, food and drinks ahead of our family-friendly time slot of 3:15pm. 

Stay tuned for more.