The AFLW Sydney Swans will travel out west for their final game of the home and away season, with the finals bound Swans preparing for their contest with Fremantle this coming Sunday. Read all the top headlines in this week's edition of Red and White News, presented by 7+ Sport. 

SWANS SECURE FINALS FOOTBALL 

The Sydney Swans have secured their second-ever AFLW finals berth after Sydney defeated West Coast 78 – 56 last Sunday at Henson Park. 

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The Swans scenarios heading into Finals

After navigating to an 8-3 record on the year so far, the 2026 cohort will be hoping to go further then the 2023 squad who after making finals for the first time in the program’s history, secured the programs first ever finals win in week one before bowing out to Adelaide in the semi-finals. 

The Red and White currently sit in 7th position, though they are tied on points with the next three teams above them. If the Swans are able to win their nineth game of the year, a program record, then the Swans would be in a strong position to possibly host an AFLW finals game for the first time. 

CHLOE MOLLOY KICKS 100TH AFLW GOAL 

Chloe Molloy kicked her 100th career AFLW goal against West Coast last Sunday to join an exclusive club of players to reach that milestone and climb back on top of the AFLW leading goalkicker award. 

Molloy, who kicked five in the Swans' 22-point win over West Coast, becomes just the fourth AFLW player to reach the 100-goal milestone, joining the list of Kate Hore, Gemma Houghton and Jasmine Garner. 

The 27-year-old is in career-best form having kicked 24 goals so far in the 2026 campaign, beating her personal best of 18 set last season. 

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Fantastic five: Molloy's monster outing helps secure finals

Chloe Molloy leads her team to the win booting five majors, including her 100th career goal

“THE GAP IS CLOSING” – COLIN O’RIORDAN  

AFLW head coach Colin O'Riordan believes the Swans are closing the gap on the AFLW's top teams, insisting their record against the competition's best belies how competitive his young side has become. 

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"She's done a lot of good work to get there" - O'Riordan

Hear from Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O'Riordan ahead of our clash with Fremantle.

"I'm positive about where we sit and how the gap is closing. We still have a lot to work on, and that's a given for every team. No team is complete,” O'Riordan said. 

“Every team can work on something, and we're aware we have a lot to work on still, but it is pleasing to see that the gap is closing and we're going into finals in a good spot." 

SWANS TO HOST OPENING GAME OF THE 2027 SEASON 

The Sydney Swans will open the 2027 Toyota AFL Season with a stand-alone blockbuster clash with Geelong at the SCG. 

The Swans and Cats have been given the opportunity to start the season with a bang in Sydney, with the Round 1 game kicking off at 7.30pm local time on Wednesday March 17. 

It will be just the third time this century that the AFL season has started on a Wednesday night, having also done so in 2000 and 2022. 

Tickets for Round 1 of the 2027 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will go on sale at a later date, with details to be communicated in advance. 

Sydney Swans to open the 2027 AFL season

2027 GATHER ROUND GAME ANNOUCED 

The Sydney Swans will take centre stage in Gather Round 2027, taking on Collingwood in a blockbuster Friday night clash. 

In what is expected to be a full house at Adelaide Oval, Swans will play the Magpies at 7.40pm eastern (7.10pm local time) on Friday 9 April. 

The 2027 Gather Round will form Round 4 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season and coincide with school holidays across the country, with matches again played at Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Barossa Park. 

Tickets for 2027 Gather Round will go on sale in December, with Sydney Swans members receiving a priority member window.