AFLW news: Sydney coach Scott Gowans diagnosed with prostate cancer

The Swans will be without coach Scott Gowans for at least six weeks after the coach revealed his shock cancer diagnosis.

Coach Scott Gowans during Sydney Swans AFLW training session at North Sydney Oval on 25th August, 2022 ahead of their first match there this week. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – **NO ON SALES** – ©Phil Hillyard )

Sydney AFL Women’s coach Scott Gowans has revealed a “shock” diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The Swans’ leader – who formerly coached North Melbourne and also served as an assistant coach at Collingwood – is set to undergo surgery in coming weeks and will be away from the club for at least six weeks.

He is expected to make a full recovery.

The much-loved football figure said he had no symptoms and encouraged what could become a life-saving check-up.

“If there’s one positive to take from this it’s that the tumour can be removed and hasn’t spread,” Gowans said on Thursday evening.

“Which may not have been the case if it wasn’t discovered so early.”

Gowans will be away from the club for at least six weeks. Photo by Phil Hillyard

He said that when an abnormality in tests for a separate issue last year became evident, his doctor had pushed for “further investigation into something that wasn’t quite right” despite presenting with no symptoms and “otherwise feeling OK”.

What further tests revealed was a shock, he admitted.

“What I hadn’t done was have a check-up for prostate cancer, so if there’s one message to come from this experience it’s to get checked, and urge your loved ones to get checked,” Gowans said.

“Because it could save their life.”

Assistant coach Nick Davis will cover the AFLW team’s senior coaching duties in Gowans’ absence.