Sydney fans have showed their support for their AFLW side after a dramatic week for the club, with a record crowd descending on the SCG for their double-header event.
In the aftermath of five men’s players – Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice – being suspended for the rest of the season amid sexual assault allegations following the events of Monday night at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel.
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But after even cross-town rivals GWS urged the public to get behind the women’s team, Swans fans let their voice be heard.
A whopping 16,672 crowd was on hand to see the Swans break away from Essendon for a 24-point win, with AFLW players greeted with a monster cheer as they ran out onto the SCG.
Forward Sarah Grunden’s goal late in the first quarter to get the Swans on the board after intercepting an errant Bomber handpass was similarly celebrated.
“A much-needed reason for Swans fans to smile!” Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood said.
“There’s so much emotion that’s come out in that celebration, a real pressure release for the Sydney Swans,” AFLW star Ellie Blackburn added.
Star forward Taylor Smith grabbed her jumper after a third-quarter goal in another powerful symbolic gesture, while Chloe Molloy celebrated a major of her own by making a “W” sign with her hands.
The biggest cheer of the day, however, came when the ground announcer revealed the monster crowd, which is almost double the Swans’ previous record home crowd set in their inaugural AFLW match of 8,264, set against St Kilda in 2022.
“A day that Swans fans will never forget,” Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood said.
Speaking after the match, Swans captain Lucy McEvoy, who has stood tall throughout a testing week, said she was overwhelmed by the show of support.
“It’s amazing, we weren’t sure what we were going to expect this week, but to see the support that we’ve received today is just unbelievable,” Swans captain Lucy McEvoy told Fox Footy.
“Our members and fans are so tight and they know that we’re united as a club and we’re better than what we were at the start of the week.
“I’m just so grateful to have the support that we do today, and the girls were able to turn it on for them.