AFLW R6 2023: Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide, 5.05pm AEDT Sat 7 Oct Alberton Oval

[Mark26]

I was impressed with Heads' tackle on the wing in the fourth. She cut her opponent in half but more importantly, changed momentum with a holding the ball call. She's developing into a strong defender.

Great win by the ladies. I didn't realise that was Montana's first win. There is a lot to like about this young and experienced team. Back to back wins would be awesome next week.

[liz]

I love the way that Kennedy goes about it: even though she seems just a little bit scary. .

I've commented before to someone that I wouldn't want to meet Kennedy in a dark alley. But watching her out on the field, me on the bench (or today on my sofa), she's just about my favourite Swan right now (amongst the women, at least - Errol sets the bar high).

It makes a huge difference when the team can take contested marks in the forward line. Up to now it seems to have been Privitelli or bust, and good as she is, she loses or drops or is outbodied more than she takes. But Smith is quickly emerging as a real presence in the forward line. And Cynthia was fantastic today. I've been a little disappointed in her this year - actually disappointed is too strong a word, but I thought she was our best in the practice game win against Carlton and so had been hoping for really huge progress from her this year. I was probably a little unrealistic in my expectations, but today showed glimpses of what she is capable of. That run into goal when she forgot to bounce a second time was possibly more exciting even than the two goals she did register.

Hurley has been a quiet achiever all year. And a remarkably consistent one. I wish she'd approach ground/tackle contests with a little more circumspection. Today wasn't the first time she's given away a couple of frees for crude contact in a contest, and she might eventually get one even more wrong and find herself suspended (and/or injure an opponent).

McEvoy has been a solid contributor all year but today was her best. She just put herself in the right spot so many times, especially pressing forward to stop Port rebounding from their defence.

Most exciting and encouraging is how, right across the team, they are now bodying the ball and contest with conviction, rather than trying to track the bouncing ball and getting bamboozled by the unpredictable bounce. It's amazing how often it breaks for a player and allows them to run on to it in a bit of space. This hasn't just improved since last year. It's improved since round 1.

Lastly, I don't know who coaches the midfield group, but whoever it is, can they please take Dean Cox out for a coffee to share some secrets about centre square tactics?

[ootf]

Last year at Port the Swans were a rabble - worst effort of the season - so it's great to see the turnaround this year.

I'm with you on the Kennedy bandwagon Liz - she'll make errors (couple of HTB, soccering the ball away for 50) but the highlights this week were that contested mark and (separately) the run around the player on the mark to kick accurately into the square for Priv to goal.

Also agree with all your comments - McEvoy was so important today. Thankfully the recruits have all added something - but I'm sure Gardiner has exceeded expectations of the coaching team. The Hamiltons have both been off a bit but there was visible improvement today.

Still plenty of skill errors to work on of course but that's to be expected.

Think Davo does the mids for the girls :-)

[Thunder Shaker]

The match report mentions finals for the first time that I have seen for Sydney's women's team.

Swans outlast Port to boost finals chances

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Nice to see Ham get through an increased game time, although sometimes she looked a bit puffed I thought - is that a video misapprehension?

[liz]

Gardiner and Morphett continue to rack up the coaches' votes after the Round 6 game.

PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY

10 Laura Gardiner (SYD)
8 Abbey Dowrick (PORT)
5 Ally Morphett (SYD)
5 Chloe Molloy (SYD)
1 Lucy McEvoy (SYD)
1 Erin Phillips (PORT)

Coaches' votes, R6: Roo moves clear, FIVE perfect 10s

If the season were to end now, you'd think we'd be almost certainties to have two players in the AA squad. I imagine they - Morphett and Gardiner - are also neck and neck in the B&F count at this stage.

[dejavoodoo44]

Gardiner and Morphett continue to rack up the coaches' votes after the Round 6 game.

PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY

10 Laura Gardiner (SYD)
8 Abbey Dowrick (PORT)
5 Ally Morphett (SYD)
5 Chloe Molloy (SYD)
1 Lucy McEvoy (SYD)
1 Erin Phillips (PORT)

Coaches' votes, R6: Roo moves clear, FIVE perfect 10s

If the season were to end now, you'd think we'd be almost certainties to have two players in the AA squad. I imagine they - Morphett and Gardiner - are also neck and neck in the B&F count at this stage.

Yes, and at 19 and 20 years of age, respectively, they both should have plenty of improvement in them.

[liz]

And two Swans made it into Sarah Black's team of the week. There was much deserved recognition for the rock-role played by McEvoy in defence, while Gardiner had to make do with a spot in the interchange.

AFLW Team of the Week, round six

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I didn't even know there was an AFLW team of the week.
I'm such a newb

Just a thought, maybe we could do some sort of RWO membership drive at a wans AFLW game?