AFLW 2023: Sydney star Laura Gardiner on her stunning transformation since being traded from Geelong

Laura Gardiner took her game to another level after a bold move away from her hometown of Geelong. She opens up on the trade, what changed at her new club and her All-Australian honour.

Laura Gardiner opens up on her trade move. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It was the revolutionary trade that nearly didn’t happen.

Laura Gardiner thought she might be staying in her hometown of Geelong in 2023 despite her desire for more midfield opportunity, until a call from her manager with hours left in the AFLW trade period that changed everything.

“I remember I was at work and they kind of called me and my manager was talking to me, I was obviously, not mixed emotions but I remember the day before apparently I wasn’t going anywhere and this day I was possibly going to Sydney. And then I was going to Sydney,” Gardiner recalls.

“It was a little bit last-minute because originally they weren’t sure if they were going to be able to do a trade and I had to decide that day I was going so there was kind of no hesitation from me.

“I was stoked, like I couldn’t be happier. I remember messaging Paige (Sheppard) and all that and saying like, ‘Oh my god I’m actually coming’ and they were all so happy for me so I was rapt.

“(Geelong) already had a very set midfield so it was more like me saying, ‘this is what I kind of want’ and then them agreeing, but obviously they wanted to give me something that I didn’t really have. So I think it was pretty mutual.”

Laura Gardiner was hungry for more midfield opportunity. Picture: Getty Images

That leap of faith away for the Geelong West product proved to be a masterstroke.

Gardiner transformed from a fringe midfielder to an All-Australian ball-magnet in the space of a season as her dominant VFLW form translated to the big stage.

After moving into a full-time midfield role, the inside bull averaged a whopping 29.1 disposals per game for the Swans – ranked second in the competition – and laid the second most tackles in the league in 2023.

The Swans’ rise as a team was just as steep, winning a final after going winless in their first season in the competition in 2022.

The 21-year-old finished the season in the AFLW All-Australian team alongside big name Swans trade recruit Chloe Molloy and ruck star Ally Morphett.

Geelong three-time best and fairest winner Amy McDonald, one of the Cats pushing Gardiner out of the midfield at the Cats, lauded her for taking a risk in moving clubs.

Gardiner went to another level this season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It was an amazing achievement by ‘Loz’ and she absolutely deserved it,” McDonald said.

“I guess she took a chance on moving states and moving to a new team and it absolutely paid off.

“I think we knew at Geelong how much of a hard worker she was and she was going to reach amazing things and it is a credit to her that she was able to take that step and get the accolade off the back of it.”

A boost in confidence, which she felt was lacking at the Cats, along with hard work was behind Gardiner’s dramatic improvement this season.

She was just as happy off the field where she formed a tight bond with Swans players, including with former Geelong Falcons teammates Paige Sheppard and Lucy McEvoy.

“I’m super happy, obviously I did work super hard and it kind of paid off,” Gardiner said.

“The team had confidence in me and I had confidence in myself and the coaching staff had confidence that I was going to be able to be a part of that midfield group and I think that just kind of helped myself play well.

“Everyone has been super awesome, it’s like a very family feeling kind of at the club and I think that’s mainly to do with a lot of the girls coming from different states.

“Everyone is kind of away from home so we are each other’s family away from home so it is a really good feeling around this club.

Laura Gardiner, Ally Morphett and Chloe Molloy were all named in the All-Australian side. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

While Gardiner’s former club also made significant strides on their way to a preliminary final, she has no regrets.

“I was very happy for them, I’m still very close with a couple of the girls from the team and I reached out to them all before the game just to say good luck and I’m super happy for how they are going this year,” Gardiner said.

“I think it is a great leap and hopefully (they’re) on the right path.

“But I’m so happy with where I am. We’ve had a massive improvement from last year and I’m just so excited for the future and I can’t wait to see what we can do next year and the year after.”

Originally published as AFLW 2023: Sydney star Laura Gardiner on her stunning transformation since being traded from Geelong