AFL NSW teens London Ashcroft, Marnie Robinson share dream of being Sydney Swans in AFLW

They live close together, go to the same school and these two young athletes also share the same dream – of competing for the Sydney Swans in the AFLW.

The Sydney Swans will make their first appearance in the next AFLW competition but missing will be two of their top young talents.

Newcastle duo London Ashcroft and Marnie Robinson will be too young to compete for the Swans in their inaugural season.

Both are eyeing off making the draft in 2023 but already working to impress at the Summer Series being run for the first time and involving around 120 of young and older players keen to make a mark on the sport.

Young Swans hopefuls in action in the Summer Series. Pic: Merrillie Redden Photography

The schoolgirls are two of the youngest players in the Summer Series which kicked off with two rounds earlier this month and resumes in March.

Ashcroft, 16, admitted she was a little fazed at taking on older more experienced players before the competition start. But that soon changed.

“I thought how will I match up to the experience but the nerves started going away as soon as we started training,’’ said the Year 11 student who attends Saint Philip’s Christian College in Newcastle and is a centre half forward.

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“It’s been eye-opening to see the experience level at the Giants and Swans are playing up is really good.

“It’s great to get a grasp on how good you have to be to make it.

“All the girls give a bit of push and shove but I’ve been preparing for it. I do a lot of gym work, weights and power stuff and running.”

Ashcroft, who will play for the Manly Wolves in Sydney AFL this season, has been playing for Newcastle City and long been linked to the Swans Academy.

“I started playing AFLW when I was 12 and trialed for the Swans in 2017 and got selected in the under 13 training Academy and I’ve been with them since,’’ she said.

“I love the game. I love the versatility and it always feels like a family. The game is different from other sports I played. You need to be pretty skilled to run jump kick. I love all the components.”

Young AFLW hopeful Marnie Robinson. Pic: Supplied

Robinson is moving up the ranks in AFL and recently making the decision to put all her efforts into the sport after previously splitting her time with netball.

But like Ashcroft, she needs to wait until she is 18 before she can put her hand up for AFLW.

“I enjoy tackling more also like the environment in AFL,” she said.

“The long-term goal is to be in the draft. I have always dreamt of playing with the Swans.

“I am a big fan of Ash Brazil because she also used to play netball.”

AFLW hopefuls in the Summer Series which resumes in March.

Robinson said having someone like Ashcroft share the journey with makes it more special.

“We go to the same school and have been friends for awhile,” she said.

“We are on the Swans Academy together and we’re pretty good mates. It’s nice to share this with each other.”

Following the Summer Series, the Sydney Swans will form an open training squad to take part in a series of matches in the lead up to the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft.

The AFL Commission granting the club a licence for entry into Season 7, commencing in late 2022.