It has not been an easy path to the senior team for 20-year-old Emma Juneja, who has faced much adversity and setbacks in her young career.
However, Juneja believes those setbacks have allowed her to grow to where she will make her AFLW debut this weekend.
Juneja will become the latest QBE Sydney Swans Academy graduate to feature for the Sydney Swans after being selected for the AFLW side's upcoming Round 3 fixture against St Kilda this Saturday in Coffs Harbour.
A local Sydney-sider and Swans fan growing up, Juneja’s love for the game developed at a young age. With her older brother already climbing through the ranks of the Swans academy, Juneja also rose quickly and joined the academy herself in 2022.
“As soon as I was playing, I just did it because I loved it, not because I necessarily always knew it was going to end up being a profession of mine,” Juneja told Sydney Swans media.
Featuring for the academy for three years in the Coates Talent League, the winger naturally exhibited and developed her craft in high-end endurance, speed, and agility, operating as an elite two-way runner between the arcs. Earning her way to two call-ups to the AFLW Under-18 Championships.
After not being picked up in her draft year, Juneja had thought her AFLW dreams had been extinguished.
Though it was from this experience that Juneja was able to grow and develop in a way not thought possible if she had been drafted straight from the academy.
“[It was] definitely extremely difficult when, sort of, the couple of years you spend prior like that was your goal; it was definitely a hard thing to face, Juneja said.
“It's terrible watching your child have such heartbreak... your own heart breaks at the same time, but as she said, you know things happen for a reason,” Juneja's mum Kathryn said.
Despite not being drafted, the former QBE Sydney Swans Academy’s Basil Sellers Scholarship recipient did not let that affect her on-field performance, with the 20-year-old having a breakout season last season with the Box Hill Hawks, appearing eight times during their VFLW season.
“It definitely has made me a better player, and now coming into the system I feel like I'm in a more mature position to really sort of make the most of the experience,” Juneja said.
It was those performances that caught the eye of Sydney Swans Executive General Manager - AFLW Football, Kate Mahony and Senior coach Colin O'Riordan, who ultimately decided to welcome Juneja back to the club in July as an injury replacement after Alice Mitchell was ruled out of the 2026 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
“Emma's a great story,” O'Riordan said.
“Went down last year to play some VFL footy after not getting picked up in her draft year, but the way she conducts herself on field and off field has been the ultimate professional.”
“Having been a train-on player with our side this pre-season and coming through the Academy pathway, she has proven that she’ll thrive in an AFLW environment and integrate well into the team,” Mahony said.
“It’s fantastic to welcome another QBE Sydney Swans Academy athlete onto our list, a testament to the strength of the pathway and the Academy."
Reflecting on her call-up to the senior squad, Juneja is excited to play with her new teammates and debut for the club she and her family have had a connection to throughout her life.
“Growing up in Sydney, my families always supported the Swans and coming through the Swans Academy especially, it's been such a journey, and I've just loved playing AFL for so long,” Juneja said.
“To finally be able to do it at the professional level and for the team that I've supported growing up, it's just so exciting.”
The Swans will clash with Euro-Yroke in an AFLW Indigenous Round fixture at C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Saturday, August 29, from 4:35 pm.
Fans and members can purchase their tickets HERE or tune in to 7mate, Fox Footy or Kayo Sports from 4:30 pm to catch all the action.
