Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O'Riordan spoke to members of the media this morning (Thursday, August 27) ahead of the team's Round 3 clash with Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) in Coffs Harbour on Saturday afternoon.
On the team's win against Essendon
“I think it was just a reward for the group and how they went about it. There was a few nerves early days. I think that was expected, but I'm just absolutely wrapped with how they played in the second half, the way they came back, battled hard, never gave up.
"It's what we want to be, and I think if we can deliver that second half performance from the start next week, that's probably what we're after.”
On the fans' support and playing in front of a record crowd
“It's been overwhelming at times, to be honest. To run out during the weekend and see 16,500 supporters, I think it's a credit to every single person who was there. We hear you. We hear your support so much. I think some people underestimate that at times.
“You rock up, and you give support. But I firmly believe- I've said it since I've come to this club- we have the best supporters in the world. The way they support us, whether it's women's or men's, the way they support us through the hard times, through the good times.
“I'm just so proud, first of all, to be a Sydney Swan and be a part of this football club. And that still hasn't changed. The way they support the girls, I'm just incredibly proud of our supporters and grateful, to be honest.”
On playing up in Coffs Harbour this weekend
“We know there's going to be a strong Swans contingent. They're going to cheer us on again, so we're really looking forward to that.”
On keeping focus and maintaining the winning start
“I think it's week to week, to be honest…Every game is different. Your best one week won't necessarily be your best the next week, but you've got to always prepare for the opposition's best.
“If we compete every single time, every contest, if we put pressure on the opposition, it gives us the best chance.”
On Taylor Smith Injury
“It was just an incident with Taylor where she hurt her wrist midway through the third and it looks like it's going to be 3-4 [weeks].
“Hopefully it can be earlier, but at the minute it looks like 3-4."
On Zippy Fish
“Zippy's a phenomenal player and a phenomenal person. The way she conducts herself on and off the field is a credit to her. We love Zip at our club.”
On AFLW Indigenous Round
“We have a few people coming in to talk to us today, which will be really exciting. Some ex-champions of our football club are going to come in and tell us what they think about Indigenous Round and what it means to be Indigenous.
“Obviously, having Zippy on our team as well… she's really proud to be an Indigenous player and represents everything that's really good about society and being an Indigenous player, which is amazing.
“We're going to have a few things planned internally, which I think will be pretty special for the girls.”
On the players expressing themselves
“I encourage every single player to be them. Like I say to them every single week, I'll never ask you to be someone else. Just be you.
“We can all still evolve and be different players at different times. But I encourage every single player and every single female on our list to be absolutely them and unique to them. They don't have to change for anyone.
“So if they want to celebrate a goal in a way that expresses themselves or shows what it means to them, absolutely go for it.”
