Sydney Swans AFLW co-vice captain Cynthia Hamilton spoke to the media alongside GWS GIANTS player Tarni Evans spoke to the media today, ahead of the AFLW Sydney Derby on Sunday.
On being back at Henson Park for the first time this season
"We're super excited and I think Henson's both home for both of us. But, yeah, it's super exciting, we love to play here. Our crowd really gets around us here and, yeah, it'll be a good weekend."
On how the team re-groups after its first loss
"Yeah, no, we've had a couple of days off which will be good to refresh and come into the week fresh. But I think, yeah, we learn from everything and we'll re-watch the game and see what we can fix and, yeah, bring it into this weekend and hopefully we can fix up what we lacked on the weekend."
On Taylor Smith being a late out against the Western Bulldogs
"We definitely missed her on the weekend. But, yeah, hopefully she gets through the track this week and we'll see what happens. She's so important. I think it's good to have a genuine tour that takes away the best key defender and allows the smaller girls to get to work and also Maddie Quinn to also get to work in there. But, yeah, she's been so important for us and it was definitely a massive loss for us on the weekend."
On the last Sydney Derby
"Yeah, we've definitely got a bit of fire to come back in and claim it back over. But, no, it's always a good competition and hopefully we can come out with the win on the weekend."
On her advice to younger teammates ahead of the game
"I think as well, playing at Henson is so special and I think the crowd always gets around it and there's always a packed crowd here. So, I think taking in that atmosphere as well and really enjoying the game because it's actually a very enjoyable game to play."
On how she's enjoying her leadership role
"Soph and Luce have been awesome to work with and, I think, with such a young group coming through and coming through as a young'un myself in the inaugural season, I think it's been really quite an experience to grow into and be a part of the young group that's coming up with it and really reflect and be able to really sympathise with the young girls and help them come through with it as well"
On wanting to beat the previous AFLW crowd record at Henson Park set last year
"The Sydney crew always rally around us and it's an experience to get around. The hill is always pumping, the stands are full, and I think, again, we want to push for women's sport to get better and better and I think getting bums on seats and being here to actually experience it live is better than watching it on the telly."
On not waiting for the team to play at the SCG to get a big crowd
"I think exactly that. Well, you look at the men's team on the weekend and they had an awesome win. But no, I think when you look at the SCG game, we had a massive crowd come out. We had a big turnout in Coffs, but I think this is where we play our good footy and the crowd always shows up here, but it's exactly that, continuing to show up and show your support and get around us because, yeah, we so much appreciate it. It not only brings the atmosphere, but it makes the footy better and you get to see it, kids get to see it, and I think it's such a family-friendly event that why wouldn't you want to bring your kids here on a Sunday, they are going to get around the footy."
On the support from Swans fans for both teams
"I think honestly, it starts in the four walls. We've come together as two groups really well. I think this has honestly brought us closer. We're doing breathwork in the morning together. We're doing little things that actually are bringing us closer. I think that's reflecting in the crowd attendance and people, actually, the fans getting around us. I think it all starts in the four wars and we've built that really strong to have that connection, that unity. So I think when you look on the weekend and you see the support the boys are getting, and then vice versa when we were at the SCG, I think it just shows how special the blood bond is and that the culture is there. It's just, yeah, I think keep getting around us, keep showing up and we won't disappoint, hopefully."
On the support of the men's team
"They always usually show up for our home games when they have the opportunity to. So I wouldn't be surprised if a few of them show up to watch us, yeah."
On how the AFL and AFLW teams have supported eachother
"There's this guy named Rory who's an awesome breathwork guy and he's been coming to the club and Errol's been flicking the message across to join both teams together as an opportunity to come closer and I think the boys have been awesome. I think they've really brought the two groups together these past couple of weeks and I think in light of what's happened, it's actually kind of beautiful how the club has reacted and both teams have actually come together and I would say we're closer than what we were before."
