‘No expectations’: Sydney Swans to embrace underdog status in first AFLW finals campaign

The Swans are ready for a short turnaround as they prepare for their first AFLW final. But with other teams writing them off, they’re ready to cause some chaos in the hunt for the flag.

Swans coach Scott Gowans is encouraging his players to play without pressure in their first AFLW final. Picture: James Worsfold/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Swans are heading into their inaugural finals campaign with zero pressure according to coach Scott Gowans.

Sydney exceeded all expectations this season, winning six games to lock their spot in the top eight following their winless year in 2022.

As they prepare for an elimination final against Gold Coast on Saturday, Gowans confirmed that the message going forward will be to play with freedom to see how long this fairytale run can continue.

“We’ve never been [to finals]. I think it’s green grass, it really is,” Gowans said.

“There’s no expectation, everyone probably thinks we’re going to go out in the first week. But I said to the girls, that’s a great position to be in because there is no pressure on us.

“It’s just a matter of bringing our game. We head up to the Gold Coast, play our way and see where it takes us.”

A dramatic win over the Dockers secured the Swans’ spot in the top eight. Picture: James Worsfold/AFL Photos/Getty Images

There have been some question marks raised over the scheduling of week one of the AFLW finals.

Sydney players and staff will only return from Perth on Monday afternoon, before heading up to the Gold Coast on Friday for their must-win clash on Saturday.

There are also concerns that both of the Melbourne-based finals have been placed on Sunday, making it impossible for fans to attend both.

However, the AFL’s reasoning confirmed that the fixtures were locked in with the week two matches in mind. With so much on the line, the Swans are still confident they can cause on an upset on the short turnaround.

And their task against the Suns will be made slightly easier with the hosts missing key midfielder Charlie Rowbottom. Rowbottom has been one of the best in Gold Coast’s improved campaign, but her season is over after undergoing ankle surgery.

“She’s a good player, probably their best player,” Gowans said. “But it doesn’t mean you’re going to win or anything like that.

“I know Cam Joyce (Gold Coast Suns coach) quite well from North Melbourne. He’ll be talking hard about the 21 he takes to the field, whoever it is.

“There’s no doubt that it gives us an opportunity that we wouldn’t have had if she was playing. It evens out a little bit more.”

The Suns will be without Charlie Rowbottom for the rest of the season. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sydney was far from their best against Fremantle, struggling for the first three quarters with the Dockers’ relentless pressure and ability to counter-attack.

The Swans’ best footy this year has seen them focus on transition, stringing together chains of handballs to create efficient forward 50 entries.

It’ll be a key message during their short turnaround to find that style of play again and to remain calm going into the biggest game in the club’s history.

“We controlled the play a little bit more and that allows you to set up around the ball and go out from that and spread from there,” Gowans said. “That’s our game and everybody knows that.

“Particularly in the first half, the ball was chaotic. We want to be able to control, even though we want to go quickly, we want to have it with a bit more composure than that.

“Next week, we’ll have to be a lot better at it.”