Sydney Derby: Swans defeat GWS, Ally Morphett earns Rising Star nomination
Young Swans ruck Ally Morphett knew she needed to make a big change to fulfil her potential, and her performance against the Giants shows she could be in for a massive season.
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Sydney ruck Ally Morphett sat down with Swans coach Scott Gowans at the end of their inaugural season knowing things needed to change.
The talented teenager was arguably one of their brightest prospects following a year where they finished without a win. But she knew she could be better.
The former Giant turned Swan was strong at the stoppages, but she never quite dominated. Her aerial ability was on show, yet she was unable to turn it into scoreboard pressure.
If she was to take her game to the next level, she had to be willing to put in the work.
“We had a long chat post last season and she, to the letter, followed it and got herself really fit,” Gowans said.
“The talent has always been there, it’s just being able to transition. You look at her and you can see that she’s a changed athlete.”
Gowans’ reflections came after Morphett starred in Sydney’s maiden AFLW victory on Sunday.
The Swans came from behind to mount a stirring last-quarter fightback with Morphett in the thick of the action.
She finished the game with 18 disposals, 16 contested possessions, seven clearances and 29 hit outs, earning an AFLW Rising Star nomination for round one.
“I recognised that last season I wasn’t at the fitness levels I should be at,” Morphett said. “So, I absolutely worked my arse off.
“In the off-season, I ran 4ks nearly every day. I just had that mentality switch. If I’m going to do this 100 per cent, I’ve got to put in 110 per cent work.”
While Morphett’s fitness has clearly improved, it was her athleticism that was on full display against the Giants.
Four of her seven clearances were from centre bounces as she used her size and speed to create positive opportunities. Her 334 metres gained were the second-most for the match
“In junior footy, [taking it out of the ruck] was something I used to do,” Morphett said.
“For that to be showing through in AFLW games is really good. Just backing my ability, knowing my weapons and using them.”
Morphett might have been off the ground for Chloe Molloy’s wonder goal in the third quarter – “I think I jumped off the bench” – but the 19-year-old didn’t miss the chance to celebrate a significant win.
She spent the first year of her footy career at the Giants after being picked out of Wagga Wagga in the 2021 draft.
Morphett played seven games in the orange and charcoal in season six of AFLW. Yet in her heart, she always bled red and white.
Her family grew up as Swans fans and as soon as Sydney entered the competition, she had to make the switch.
And now, it’s the Giants who will be looking on wondering what could have been.
“It’s always good taking on old teammates and especially getting a win against them,” Morphett said.
“I’m so proud of this crew. We’ve been working for over six months in the off-season. Everyone is so invested this year.
“The energy around the Bloods is really good at the moment. I’m sure it’s going to be like this for a fair while.”
Big talking Swans pull off crazy AFLW comeback
The Swans talked a big game during the week leading up to the Sydney Derby but they backed it up with a famous first victory in the AFLW.
The Giants were on top for most of the game and pushed out their lead to 25 points at the halfway point of the third term.
However, the Swans mounted an incredible comeback which included two remarkable goals to co-captain Chloe Molloy – the second of which gave Sydney the lead for the first time in the match.
It brought a passionate crowd at North Sydney to life as the Swans managed to hang on for a nail-biting five-point victory.
PARKER ON FIRE
Alyce Parker was straight back to her best against the Swans, getting her hands on everything in the first half.
She had a game-high 12 touches across the opening two terms and also kicked the opening goal of the game. She finished the match with a game-high 22 disposals.
Notorious for her ability to win contested possessions, she also showcased how well she can use the ball with two goal assists in the second term.
Coach Cam Bernasconi suggested that with the introduction of an interchange cap, Parker could spend more time forward in 2023. If Sunday was a sign of things to come, expect her to add plenty more goals to her already incredible footy resume.
FORMER GIANTS COME BACK TO BITE
Two former Giants in Ally Morphett and Rebecca Privitelli both showed that they are going to be important cogs for the Swans in their second season.
Privitelli played 23 games for the Giants before heading across town for the Swans’ inaugural season. She kicked a crucial goal in the third quarter to bring the Swans back to life and kickstart their late charge.
Privitelli finished with two goals for the game in a dominant display and looks to be the leader on the Swans’ forward line going forward.
But it’s Morphett who is set to be a star of the AFLW for years to come. The 19-year-old has worked incredibly hard on her fitness this off-season and in game one it paid off.
The talented ruck took a number of clearances straight out of the stoppage and even found a goal of her own. She finished the game with an incredible stat sheet of seven clearances, 29 hit-outs and 18 disposals.
MOLLOY’S HEADLINE MOMENT
All the talk for the Swans’ second season was about their high-profile recruits and it was Chloe Molloy who looked most at home in her Sydney debut.
She got straight into the thick of the action with six touches in the first term, but her big highlight came when her team needed her the most in the third quarter.
The co-captain got the ball in the forward pocket, sold some candy, danced around her opposing captain Alicia Eva and kicked a memorable ball off the outside of her boot.
She produced a repeat dose in the final quarter, kicking another goal off the outside of her boot to put the Swans in front. It proved to be the match-winner as the Swans secured their first-ever win.
It was a brilliant first game for Molloy in the red and white and the Swans will be excited for what to expect in the years to come.
MATCH DETAILS
SWANS 0.2, 2.3, 5.5, 7.9 (51)
GIANTS 1.3, 4.3, 7.4, 7.4 (46)
McKIRDY’S BEST:
Swans – Molloy, Morphett, Privitelli, Tarrant, Gardiner
Giants – Parker, Garnett, Evans, Eva, Lister
GOALS:
Swans – Molloy (2), Privitelli (2), Newman, Beruldsen, Morphett
Giants – Garnett (2), Zreika, Brazendale, Beeson, Barr, Parker
UMPIRES: Matthew Baigent, John Howorth, Joseph O’Brien
INJURIES: Nil
CROWD: 5,474 at North Sydney Oval
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