Standouts and scouting notes from Sydney v GWS AFLW pre-season match sim

Sydney’s powerhouse midfield brigade dominated – but draftees Zippy Fish and Amelia Martin made a big a impression in the cross-town practice, too. Get all the pre-season intel.

The Swans’ midfield looks primed to dominate once again in the AFLW after an impressive 30-point win against the Giants in their first match simulation of the season.

Both teams were hoping to put their improved fitness into practice on the back of big changes to their respective strength and conditioning programs.

And in the first quarter, it appeared the game would be an arm wrestle with the Giants taking an early lead on the back of two Georgia Garnett majors from the goalsquare.

But it was Scott Gowans’ side that gained the upper hand in the second term and never relented, running out the game with their scoring power and strong defensive structures.

The Swans were dominant in their first hit out with co-captain Lucy McEvoy one of their best. Picture: Benjamin Cuevas/Sydney Swans

SYDNEY MIDFIELD OVERLOAD

When the Swans made finals in 2023, their three All-Australian midfield stars led the way. Morphett in particular looked back to her best against the Giants, grabbing balls out of the ruck and physically dominating her match-up against new Irish recruit, Grace Kos.

Laura Gardiner also saw plenty of the ball as her connection with Morphett continues to grow with another pre-season under their belt.

But it’s the fact that the Swans have so many options running through the midfield that should scare opposition teams.

Sofia Hurley was their most consistent in 2024 and looks to have become even sharper by hand, Tanya Kennedy continues to improve with her skills, while co-captain Lucy McEvoy played a number of roles and was incredibly polished.

Then they have the luxury of playing Montana Ham wherever they need, and when that’s around the stoppages, she has the class to bulldoze through the contest and usually come out the other side with the ball.

Even with GWS boasting the likes of Alyce Parker and captain Rebecca Beeson, the Swans had all the running in close, and that was without Chloe Molloy or Cynthia Hamilton.

Scott Gowans will have to figure out his best combinations, but the fact that he has so many to choose from will give him plenty to think about.

Montana Ham scored an incredible solo goal in the final quarter to cap off the win. Picture: Benjamin Cuevas/Sydney Swans

IRISH CONNECTION

The Giants took the unusual step of putting Irish recruit Eilish O’Dowd straight into the ruck last season, and they’re set to do the same with Grace Kos in 2025.

With O’Dowd still overseas as she prepares to play the All-Ireland final, Kos was given the reins around the stoppages and showed plenty of promising signs.

She might have been pinged at one stage for running too far, but it was evident that her incredible athleticism and speed will prove a handful for opposition midfields.

Kos has the height to play in the ruck, but can almost play as a fourth midfield with her ability to break through the stoppage.

She got a lesson in ruck craft against Morphett on Friday afternoon, but it was the perfect induction into Aussie rules for a player who has so much potential.

SWANS DRAFTEES IMPRESS

Sydney’s first two draft picks from last year might have been at either end of the order, but they both had their moments to shine in the hitout against GWS.

Zippy Fish is the name on everyone’s lips after being taken with the fifth pick by the Swans. The Giants seriously considered her the pick before, but went in another direction. And they were made to regret that decision early as Fish kicked Sydney’s first goal of the game on the back of a 50-metre penalty.

Fish showed really good composure throughout the match, playing predominantly off halfback, while also read the ball well when it floated over the back of contests.

But arguably the most impressive draftee was Academy-product Amelia Martin. The 18-year-old from Wollongong was taken with the 56th selection and looks to be a ready-made forward option.

Superb goal on the run from young Academy draftee Amelia Martin, her second for the day and showing some really promising signs in the forward line. @SydneySwansAFLW up by 19 points at the final break. #AFLW@superfootyhttps://t.co/26OYHvEynfpic.twitter.com/5Dib5vVLcZ

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) July 25, 2025

She took a strong mark in the second quarter that she converted beautifully on an angle and from 35 metres out. Martin then grabbed her second with a fantastic finish in the third quarter on the run after a nice chain of handballs.

If she and Giselle Davies can form a solid forward combination, helping the already strong Rebecca Privitelli, then Sydney should pose more of a scoreboard threat in 2025.

The Giants’ new Irish recruit Grace Kos had a solid first hit out. Picture: Ryan Jones/GWS Giants

Eleanor Brown showed plenty of composure in defence. Picture: Ryan Jones/GWS Giants

GREAT GIANT RECRUITS

The Giants made eight changes to their squad this off-season, and coach Cam Bernasconi would have been happy with their early output.

Eleanor Brown was one of the most high-profile, making the move from the Western Bulldogs. She looked at home playing in defence and linked up well with the likes of Cambridge McCormack playing off halfback.

Caitlin Fletcher was another who arrived under the radar but has hit the ground running. Signed as a replacement player for Pepa Randall, Fletcher has spent time previously at both the Giants and North Melbourne VFLW, and will be hopeful of earning a place in their round one side.

The most impressive youngster was probably Grace Martin. Wearing the No.1 guernsey, the 22nd pick of last year’s draft was running strongly in the back pocket and looked good moving the ball in transition.

It’s clear the Giants want to get their own version of the orange tsunami going when they move the ball out of defence, and the players they’ve brought in this season will certainly give them a chance of playing that style.

Match Details

GWS 3.5.23

SYDNEY 7.11.53

Goals

GWS – Georgia Garnett (2), Alicia Eva

Sydney – Giselle Davies (2), Amelia Martin (2), Zippy Fish, Montana Ham, Sofia Hurley

Best

GWS – G. Martin, A. Parker, G. Kos, C. McCormack

Sydney – A. Morphett, L. McEvoy, M. Ham, A. Martin, G. Davies

Originally published as Standouts and scouting notes from Sydney v GWS AFLW pre-season match sim