AFLW news: Why Laura Gardiner moved from Geelong to Sydney

Everything seemed to be falling into place for Laura Gardiner to become an AFLW star at Geelong. Here’s how she ended up a Swan instead.

Laura Gardiner is ready to take on her former side Geelong in round two of the AFLW. Picture: Phil Hillyard

For local Geelong product Laura Gardiner, playing for the Cats appeared to be a fait accompli.

The Falcons junior caught the eyes of recruiters as a teenager before being picked up by the Cats in pick 20 of the 2020 draft.

She slowly made an impact at senior level — including a remarkable 49-disposal game against Port Melbourne in the VFLW in 2021.

Yet, things weren’t progressing as quickly as she thought they would.

That’s when the Swans came knocking.

“I was just looking to see what was out there,” Gardiner said.

“And then the Swans were kind of keen so it kind of fell into place.

“I had my fair share of games at Geelong. We were a growing team and improving each year. “It was just wanting more opportunity for myself because I was stuck in that VFL-AFL loop where I would play but also had to play some VFL because I wasn’t getting enough out of it.

“It was a shock because I didn’t expect to move and make a decision on such short notice. But I knew it was the right choice and it has been great ever since.”

The talented midfielder only had 18 AFLW matches across three seasons and played more regularly in the VFLW. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Gardiner wasn’t short of accolades in her time at Geelong either. She won the club’s VFLW best and fairest award in 2021 and was named in the VFLW team of the season last year.

But the Cats couldn’t find a way to consistently get her in their side and the Swans moved heaven and earth to find a spot for the 20-year-old.

“She’s an amazing footballer,” Scott Gowans, Sydney’s AFLW coach said.

“She’s so cool, calm and collected.

“She just needed her opportunity and I can understand why she wasn’t getting it at Geelong. Their midfield is so good.

“So that was just a stroke of luck that we ended up with Laura.”

It was a daunting move for Gardiner, but she quickly found comfort in Sydney and the club already feels like her second home.

Gardiner (R) has felt right at home since moving to Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard

She is one of several high-profile recruits the Swans targeted this off-season as they looked to make a big impact in their second year.

And while new co-captains Chloe Molloy and Lucy McEvoy have arguably stolen the headlines, Gardiner had the most complete performance in their historic round one win against the Giants.

She finished with 18 disposals, 12 tackles, 11 contested possessions and five clearances.

“I looked at the stat sheet and got a shock at how much pressure she applied,” Gowans said.

“It was so good that all the hard work we’ve put in had paid off,” Gardiner added.

“The game was very contested, the ball was on the ground a lot. But I didn’t expect those (sort of numbers).”

Gardiner led the Swans for disposals in their round one win over the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Swans now get a chance to go for their second win against Gardiner’s former side, Geelong, at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.

The midfielder has signed at the club for a couple of seasons and has plenty of goals of what she wants to achieve.

But a win over the Cats could be the perfect way to get the ball rolling and she’s ready to lead the charge.

“They had a really good win on the weekend, but I think it’ll be good to see where we are at,” Gardiner said. “I’ve got a lot of friends still at Geelong. But I’ll speak to them after the game.

“I just hope I can keep improving. I’m working with the coaches, especially Davo (Nick Davis), the midfield coach, to improve on those areas. I want to strengthen my forward craft as well.

“But also just improving outside of footy. I want to improve with that confidence, especially coming to a team when not many of the girls have played many seasons of footy.

“It’s funny, but this is my fourth season and even though it doesn’t feel like it, I am experienced, and I have that AFLW background. So I also want to share that with the other girls so we can all help each other.”