The race for the 2026 Minor Premiership heats up tonight at Optus Stadium with the Sydney Swans set to take on Fremantle tonight at 8.10pm.

The Swans will be hoping to soar to the top of the AFL ladder with a win over the Dockers, who are coming off their first loss in 14 games. The Swans will also be wearing their 2026 Marn Grook Guernsey tonight in celebration of National NAIDOC Week. Tune into Channel 7, Kayo and Fox Footy from 7:30 pm to catch all the action. 

Cox: "We're excited to come over and take on the best team"

Dean Cox delivered his final media address yesterday ahead of tonight's clash. The senior coach spoke on Tom Papley’s return, the prospect of the top-of-the-table clash and the tactical preparations that have been taking place. 

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"He's one of the form players in the competition" - Cox

Hear from Swans senior coach Dean Cox ahead of our Thursday night blockbuster against Fremantle.

“It's an amazing battle to be a part of. Two teams that are in good form get to do it in front of 60,000 people. You get an opportunity to come over here and take on the best team, you can't wait for it."

You can read and watch the full interview with Dean Cox here.

AFL & AFLW OPEN TRAINING SESSION

Announced yesterday, the Sydney Swans will host a joint open training session next Thursday morning at the SCG, allowing fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with their favourite AFL and AFLW players.

The AFL side will be preparing for their Round 18 clash against Adelaide with a Captain's Run, while the AFLW side will be continuing their preparations for the upcoming season with a gruelling pre-season training session. 

Entry is free, with both sessions scheduled to start at 10:00 am. Fan activations will be on offer for members and fans upon arrival at the SCG.

AFLW GUERNSEY NUMBERS

Yesterday, the Swans announced the guernsey numbers of the AFLW squad ahead of the upcoming season.

New star forward, Taylor Smith, will wear the number 3 after she joined the club via a trade with Brisbane in the off-season.

Meanwhile, 2025 AFLW draftee and QBE Sydney Swans Academy athlete Alex Neyland has been given the number 14, which inaugural AFLW co-captain Maddy Collier has previously worn.  

CLICK HERE for the full list of players and guernsey numbers.

AFLW LIST UPDATE

The Sydney Swans have signed QBE Sydney Swans Academy graduate Emma Juneja as a replacement player for the 2026 AFLW season.

Juneja has spent the last three years representing the QBE Sydney Swans Academy in the Coates Talent League. The 20-year-old comes in to replace Alice Mitchell, who has been placed on the inactive list for the upcoming season after she suffered an ACL injury last month. 

“Having been a train-on player with our side this pre-season and coming through the Academy pathway, (Juneja) has proven that she’ll thrive in an AFLW environment and integrate well into the team," Sydney Swans Executive General Manager - AFLW Football, Kate Mahony, said. 

NEXT HOME GAME: KIDS GO FREE!

The Sydney Swans return home next week to take on the Adelaide Crows on Friday night. The Friday night showdown will round out the school holidays, with the Swans offering free tickets to all junior red-and-white fans as part of the Kids Go Free promotion.

Make it a Sydney Swans School Holiday

The Swans will be hoping to continue their undefeated run at home, which has now eclipsed nine games. 

Get your tickets HERE