AFLW 2023: Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants game to kick off new women’s season

Sydney will unveil its star recruits against cross-town rival GWS in a blockbuster opening to the eighth season of the AFL women’s competition.

Ella Heads and Chloe Molloy of the Sydney Swans and Georgia Garnett from the Giants at North Sydney Oval, where the two teams will play each other in the opening round of 2023 AFLW season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Swans might have recruited heavily for AFLW season eight but the Giants are determined to show they’re still the queens of Sydney.

And the two sides won’t have to wait long to battle for supremacy with the Sydney Derby headlining round 1 this year at the iconic North Sydney Oval.

The fixture for AFLW Season 8 was released on Monday, and the Sunday afternoon showdown on September 3 will be the first of two consecutive games at the venue for the Swans, who are still searching for their first AFLW victory.

While nothing would be sweeter than bringing it up against their cross-town rivals, it’s equally as important for the Giants to maintain their ascendancy.

The Giants came out victorious in the first AFLW Sydney Derby. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“When we play the Swans it’s always in the back of our mind that Sydney is ours,” said Georgia Garnett, a new member of the Giants’ leadership group.

“We were the first ones in Sydney. We’ve been here for six years longer now.

“The Giants trusted in our women’s team and had the belief women deserved to play AFL.

“Usually, you have to wait a couple of rounds for (the derby) to come. But it builds the excitement in pre-season even more.

“We got up them last year. We’ll look to dominate the rivalry.”

The Giants won their lone match-up by 47 points last season but know the Swans will be a different challenge in 2023.

Chloe Molloy and Lucy McEvoy are the two big-name signings and will be joined by Laura Gardiner from Geelong and the Irish trio of Paris McCarthy, Jennifer Higgins and Julie O’Sullivan.

Ella Heads (left) has already seen the rise in standards at the Swans since the arrival of Chloe Molloy and Co. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Despite being the new kids on the blocks, the Swans are confident they can ruffle a few more feathers in 2023.

“I think (the new players) coming in in the off-season and having them be a role model for younger girls especially is setting that standard,” said Sydney’s Ella Heads.

“They have so much to bring to the team, and I’m learning off them and soaking it up like a sponge.

“(Last year) was so many firsts. But I feel like it’s good having that in place, you know what you need to do. Those 10 games will help to go into this season.”

The Swans will play their other three home fixtures at Henson Park as they look to help transform that ground into the home of women’s footy in Sydney.

That will include a highly anticipated first showdown for Molloy against her former side, Collingwood.

The Swans are hoping to pack out North Sydney Oval yet again. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But for now, they’re determined to pack out North Sydney Oval for the first two weekends of the season.

They had an attendance of 8264 for their inaugural match at the venue last year. And building off the largest AFLW membership base in season seven, they’ll be confident they can flood the iconic ground in red and white yet again.

“I know I’ll have a lot of people come from Victoria to watch it,” said Molloy.

“I think if we can get a huge crowd and that builds atmosphere, it’s just something that I’m pretty excited to be a part of and to see the red and white army out there.

“I reckon it’s a good chance to get our first win if we can get good backing from the supporters out there.”