2025 Off season

[bandwagon]

Wow! - lots of news from the first week of November.
Senior coach Scott Gowans sacked with a year to run on his contract. Did not see that coming, but echoes what happened to him at North.

Also - Privitelli retires (along with Collier) and Davies and Hillier released. So we have 4 list spots to fill in December's draft.

[bandwagon]

All-Australian Squad: Zippy Fish, Laura Gardiner and Montana Ham named in the 42 person squad. Zippy is the only first year player named.

[stevoswan]

Wow! - lots of news from the first week of November.
Senior coach Scott Gowans sacked with a year to run on his contract. Did not see that coming, but echoes what happened to him at North.

Also - Privitelli retires (along with Collier) and Davies and Hillier released. So we have 4 list spots to fill in December's draft.

Not sure he was sacked.....I read he had stood down to pursue other opportunities. In his own words "While the decision to step away has been a difficult one, the time feels right for new leadership to take the team forward." Of course, I don't discount the possibility that he was pushed.....but nothing I have seen really indicates he was 'sacked'.

I really liked him, thought he was a great coach and teacher but this season did raise questions. Our ladies were terribly inconsistent.

Another question needs answering and this is nothing to do with Gowans.....can we win without Malloy in the team? At this stage, it appears not enough.....so the recruiting of some top talent is needed.

[Sandridge]

Wow! - lots of news from the first week of November.
Senior coach Scott Gowans sacked with a year to run on his contract. Did not see that coming, but echoes what happened to him at North.

Also - Privitelli retires (along with Collier) and Davies and Hillier released. So we have 4 list spots to fill in December's draft.

Was Gowans sacked or did he leave? Or did he leave because he was going to be sacked? The article I read about him leaving was not completely clear about the situation.

[stellation]

I quite liked Gowans, and think he’s done a good job of building the list and nurturing talent, but I’m not that surprised to see him go. He’s been hampered by injuries to key players over the last couple of seasons and it’s exposed that we generally are relatively shallow for experience (I’m sure that’s not unique across the league), but we don’t seem to have had too many backup plans going into games (beyond move Chloe around when she’s available, or Zippy).

He seemed quite popular with the playing group, hopefully that doesn’t cause any issues with player contentment; I’m sure it won’t, but given he’s been there from the start and it’s such a young list that really must feel like a second family for some I could understand it. I wonder if we could tempt Davo back in some way to give the playing group some continuity (not necessarily as head coach, which I appreciate may be closer to where his ambitions lie).

[bandwagon]

You are all correct, there has been no mention of the word 'sacked' in any communication coming from the Swans. However a quality organisation will seek to move on a senior figure in a way that respects their dignity by using ambiguous language. In my completely uninformed opinion I feel that is what has happened here. Gowans' obvious strengths in building a team probably didn't outweigh the limitations with matchday tactics - again IMHO.

[Thunder Shaker]

Gowans' obvious strengths in building a team probably didn't outweigh the limitations with matchday tactics - again IMHO.

There seemed to be a lack of strategical preparation against opponents that Sydney really should have beaten: Collingwood, GWS and Essendon.

Tactics for wet weather football was another weakness as the Essendon game showed.

I believe all clubs should practice for wet weather occasionally by training with old, underinflated footballs that have been well soaked and lightly covered in soap. Heavy, slippery footballs are harder to control.

[bandwagon]

Both Molloy (kick at extreme tight angle vs. Freo) and Ham (running goal from defensive wing vs. Collingwood) are AFLW Goal of the year finalists.
Ham's is a straightforward kick in the end, but has a wonderful lead up so is the winner for me.

[stellation]

Riley Beveridge reporting that Ally Morphett met with Carlton in the past week (she’s currently contracted to us for another couple of seasons I believe).

[bandwagon]

Riley Beveridge reporting that Ally Morphett met with Carlton in the past week (she’s currently contracted to us for another couple of seasons I believe).

Do not like the sound of that.
Given they are all paid peanuts (relative to the men), you wouldn't think moving interstate would be worth it financially.

[stellation]

Do not like the sound of that.
Given they are all paid peanuts (relative to the men), you wouldn't think moving interstate would be worth it financially.

Neither do I, I am a little worried about vultures circling a little bit following Gowan’s departure whilst we have a void.

No idea on finances, Carlton has traditionally been pretty good about lining up things outside of football for players and no reason to think it wouldn’t carry over to their AFLW program.

[Thunder Shaker]

Fish wins the 2025 AFLW Rising Star award: Like a Fish to water: Swans sensation named Rising Star (afl.com.au).

[stellation]

Fish wins the 2025 AFLW Rising Star award: Like a Fish to water: Swans sensation named Rising Star (afl.com.au).

Well deserved!

[bandwagon]

And Montana Ham won GOTY with her outstanding effort against Collingwood.
I'm a bit surprised Laura Gardiner didn't make the AA team, I would have had her on the bench instead of Fremantle's Newton, but I'm biased!

[stellation]

Colin O’Riordan will be our AFLW senior coach. He seems to have been well regarded, at least internally, as he’s worked his way through the coaching ranks. I like the continuity for the playing list in keeping a familiar face around.

Best of luck to him (and us!).

https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1942728/colin-oriordan-named-sydney-swans-aflw-coach