Sydney Swans win with 'we beats me' philosophy despite key injuries
Sydney's women's AFL team is averaging record-high scores and locking away finals with a new coach's 'selfless' team-first mantra.
The Swans women's football has transformed under new coach Colin O'Riordan, who has introduced a 'we beats me' philosophy. Star midfielder Laura Gardiner's game shows the shift: her touches are down 5.4 per game to 25.3, but she has kicked three goals, the most in her career in a single season, and is creating more forward entries.
The team is averaging the highest score in its history and has won more games in a single season than ever before. Players move fluidly between midfield and forward lines based on need, not fixed positions.
Gardiner says the Swans reward effort and one-percenters over flashy individual stats. The team has achieved this despite losing some key players to injury: ruck Ally Morphett tore her ACL, Sofia Hurley injured her ankle, and Brenna Tarrant her knee.
O'Riordan says the group has earned the right to have belief by banding together through adversity.
- 25.3 (down 5.4)
- Gardiner's touches per game
- 3
- Gardiner's goals this season
- Colin O'Riordan
- Coach
- 3 (Morphett, Hurley, Tarrant)
- Key players injured
Why it mattersHow a team plays, selfish or selfless, reshapes who succeeds and how success is measured.
AustraliaSydney Swans women are now contenders in finals after locking away a spot with a round remaining, showing a different model of team building works in AFL.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
