Swans culture rebuild ‘actually beautiful’: AFLW team
Joanna Guelas |
Believing Sydney’s men’s and women’s teams are closer than before, AFLW star Cynthia Hamilton has described the embattled club’s resilience amid turmoil as “actually beautiful”.
Hamilton is urging fans to continue their support, vowing the Swans won’t disappoint on the field in Sunday’s Sydney derby against rivals GWS at Henson Park.
The Swans women play in the Harbour City for the first time since the SCG double-header in round two, having played a home game in Coffs Harbour in round three.
Fans came out in force at the SCG in the immediate aftermath of the men’s Pullman Hotel scandal, with a crowd of 16,672 turning up for the victory over Essendon.
The attendance more than doubled Sydney’s previous highest crowd for a home AFLW game.
In contrast, the men’s team recorded its lowest SCG crowd of the season – just 30,058 fans watched them beat North Melbourne.
Star players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey – All-Australian contenders before they were banned from being selected – are among the five serving club-imposed bans.
Important tagger James Jordon and defender Riley Bice are the other Swans who won’t play again this season.
As the men’s team aims to rebuild respect for the famed Bloods culture, Hamilton says the club have come together even over the smallest of details.
“This has honestly brought us closer. We’re doing breath work in the morning together, we’re doing little things,” Hamilton said.
“Errol Gulden’s been flicking the message (about breath work) across to join both teams together as an opportunity to come closer.
“The boys have been bloody awesome. They’ve really brought the two groups together.
“In light of what’s happened, it’s actually kind of beautiful how the club has reacted. I would say we’re closer than what we were before.”
As a healthy contingent followed the women’s to Whitten Oval last week, the men’s team enjoyed renewed support for their 53-point qualifying final upset of reigning premiers Brisbane and played in front of 37,261 fans at the SCG.
“When you look on the weekend, and you see the support the boys are getting, and then vice versa when we were at the SCG as well, it just shows how special the Bloods bond is and that the culture is there,” Hamilton said.
“Keep getting around us, keep showing up, and we won’t disappoint – hopefully.”
GWS forward Tarni Evans also threw her weight behind the Swans, after urging fans to support the AFLW fixture at the SCG last month.
The 14th-placed Giants are looking to retain derby bragging rights and bounce back from a dour 31-point away loss to the Lions, taking a three-game losing streak to Henson Park.
Sydney are also licking their wounds after a 27-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs, leaving them fifth after a first loss of the season.
Both sides have claimed two wins from four previous derbies in the women’s league.
“This weekend, this is such a great opportunity in women’s sport, to get out and support it,” Evans said.
“Getting people to the game is unreal and that’s what we want.
“This weekend will be another testament to that, a great game of footy to watch.”
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AAP