Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O'Riordan spoke to the media Wednesday morning ahead of the team's Round 8 fixture against North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval on Sunday afternoon. 

On the team’s performance against the Lions 

“I think our ability to handle the moments in the last quarter was something we really prided ourselves on this week. We spoke to the girls at three-quarter time and just said it's going to be all about moments. Every single player would have an opportunity to take a moment. The most pleasing part was I think probably every player had their moment and the majority took it.”  

On the team’s youth and playing their roles 

“It is really pleasing. We are the third-youngest list in the AFLW and I think to scrap in games where we are is credit to the girls and their maturity this year. They've come on leaps and bounds. To be honest, I think it does go back to just everyone playing their role and stepping up and taking those moments. I talk about it every week to the girls about playing their role, but I think it's really important.  

“Sometimes I think you feel you have to go outside and do something that's spectacular. I need to be the one to take a hanger or kick over the goal of the year to win the game, but it's actually just a collection of small moments that hopefully put you in a good state to win the game.” 

On Sofia Hurley’s injury 

“She's an incredible professional in what she does on the field and off the field, how she carries herself. So even if the timeline was not season done for her, which hopefully it looks like, but maybe it's a glimmer of a chance, I think even still she's someone who will just get to work and get the job done.” 

On Tanya Kennedy 

“Tanya's perception from the outside is Tanya's just a tagger and to be honest it's probably a negative connotation. Tanya gets a lot on the footy herself. For Tanya it's a simple conversation every week. It's beat your player and try and beat the footy as much as you can. She might have an outside perception of just being a tagger for want of a better phrase but for us she's a really important player.”  

On preparing for North Melbourne 

“It's a challenge and they've been benchmarked for the last three years and longer to be honest. We know that they're in every position, they have depth everywhere. The challenge is I think if you go to one and you go to someone else, you can look at every position they have and you can bank on some player. But again, it goes back to us and how we preview them and what gives us the best opportunity.”  

On Alex Neyland re-signing 

“Aly obviously came through the academy; her story is well known and the type of person she is just an ultimate competitor. [We’re] really disappointing for her that she went down before we played any practice game in pre-season, but I have no doubt and have so much confidence in Aly that she'll bounce back. The second it happened she said I'm going to get to work and come back stronger.  

“I'm sure she's wished she was playing but all she cares about now is getting back, helping the team and how she can get back in pre-season in 2027 and we're rapt that she's signed on for a couple of extra years. We love her at our footy club, and we love the competitiveness she brings to whether it's training or games and can't wait to see her bounce back in 2027.” 

On John Longmire’s departure  

“I've been on record saying Horse has been incredible for me. He was the only coach I'd played under. I guess you see a different side of someone when you're being coached under them versus when they're under your mentor as a coach. 

“As a coach I learn so much from him both on and off the field. I think there's a perception of him that he's this steely, hard-nosed bloke but I think everyone who's played under him and has been around him will probably realise what he really is off the field. He's a genuine bloke who wants everything to succeed and gives everyone the opportunity. 

“I'll probably miss him a lot more than he realises. He's been a really good mentor to me.”