Do I want to do it all again?
That was the question that dogged Emma Swanson before she signed on the dotted line with the West Coast Eagles in April.
As a foundation AFLW player, Swanson knew better than most the challenges that laid ahead for one of the league’s four expansion clubs.
The inaugural vice-captain of Greater Western Sydney’s AFLW team vividly remembers a feeling – the fear of the unknown – that weighed on her throughout the Giants’ inaugural pre-season.
“That was probably the thing I was most nervous about, was going from one foundation club to another,” Swanson said.
“AFLW in general, that first year was the unknown. We didn’t know how things would go, how many people would come to games and we didn’t know how girls would respond to the training loads. There was a big question mark on every aspect of it.
“Coming to a foundation club again, I was thinking I didn’t want to relive that first year again.”
Fortunately, all of Swanson’s concerns disappeared once she met with Eagles head of female football Adam Selwood and senior coach Luke Dwyer.
“The Eagles have had three years to get ready for a women’s side and it definitely shows,” Swanson said.
“They are prepared for what lies ahead, the organisation of the AFLW program is second to none and the club is very inclusive.”
Since arriving back in the west, Swanson has been ramping up her training with West Coast's Female Academy, which trains a mix of the club’s contracted AFLW players and talented individuals who are striving to be drafted to an AFLW team.
She arrived at the club with a pre-existing shoulder injury – one that sidelined her the entire 2019 AFLW campaign – but with the help of strength and conditioning gurus Eric Mackenzie and Alivia Del Basso, Swanson is on track to be fit and firing ahead of the Eagles’ inaugural pre-season slog.
“I wouldn’t say I’m 100 per cent just yet, but I’m definitely edging closer to getting back into contact work,” she said.
“The strength is definitely getting there. It’s slow and steady, but it’s coming back. The best thing is I’ve got a couple of months up my sleeve to get it right. My goal is to be 100 per cent by November, so I can roll into pre-season and give it my all.”
Emma Swanson put pen to paper on a two-year deal with West Coast in April
In the meantime, Swanson is enjoying getting to know her new teammates – although she is familiar with many.
“It’s a funny dynamic being back in WA,” she said.
“Leaving the state for three years, I went somewhere where I didn’t know any of the players I played with. Coming home, it’s quite small over here, so if you haven’t played with someone you’ve generally played against them.
“I’m really excited to play alongside Dana Hooker. She’s had a stellar three years. Kellie Gibson is another one that I think is set to play some really good footy. She’s been hit by injuries the last couple of years, but I think she’s pretty stoked to be an Eagle, the club that she supported her whole life.
“We played state under 18s together for three years and we were in the same Melbourne exhibition team for four games. I’ve had a fair bit to do with Gibbo since I first started playing the sport. She’s so athletic and can play forward or through the midfield. She’s looking really fit and really strong at the moment.”
She’s also getting familiar with the club’s coaching staff, led by senior coach Luke Dwyer, and her new surrounds at Mineral Resources Park.
Swanson offered a glowing review of both.
“Luke Dwyer, the way he drives the standards and expectations is really high and I really rate that in a coach,” she said.
“I think it’s going to do a world of good for us as players to be led by someone who drives such high standards. I’m really excited to see where that goes throughout pre-season.
“And as for Mineral Resources Park, that’s a funny one. Every time I spoke to Adam Selwood about potentially coming back home he would always harp on about this new facility, but I was of the opinion that a dumbbell is a dumbbell and whether it’s in a shed or a world-class gym, it doesn’t really make a difference. It’s 15kg either way.
“I wasn’t as amped as some of the other girls were, but then I did a tour about a month before it opened and I was blown away. It completely changed my mind.
“It’s absolutely phenomenal. I never thought I’d get the opportunity to train in a facility like this. I walk into the club and feel so grateful to have the opportunity to train somewhere like this. I can’t see that wearing off ever. Having access to this will help us tick off those one percenters that help you get better. It inspires you to meet the standards that the facility offers.”
