Nowra's Maddy Collier has taken another step forward in her AFLW career, as she accepted her playing guernsey for her upcoming season with the new expansion Sydney Swans.
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Players, coaches and families gathered at the SCG on Tuesday night to watch the upcoming 2022 team be presented with their guernseys as they get ready for their first year in the AFLW competition.
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It was a major moment for the athletes and the club as the team will get to write a piece of history this upcoming season.
Collier will be donning #14, a number made famous by previous Swan greats including legendary Bob Skilton, 'Captain Courageous' Paul Kelly and current Sydney co-captain Callum Mills.
Collier in an interview with Swans TV said that she was well aware of the honor of wearing #14.
"I guess there's a bit of pressure that comes with it but also a lot of pride and responsibility to do it justice," she said.
"It's very humbling and exciting that I am the first woman to wear it and I hope that I can live up to the standards it holds."
Collier grew up in Nowra playing footy as a Kiama Junior before being recruited by the GWS Giants ahead of the inaugural 2017 AFLW season.
In three seasons with the Giants she played 15 games, gaining a reputation as a hard-nosed midfielder.
In search of an increased role Collier signed with the West Coast Eagles in 2019 Free Agency, where she would go on to become one of the club's most reliable players and strongest vocal leaders.
Most recently her 2022 season was cut short as a result of a fractured fibula against Richmond.
The Swans are one of four expansion teams entering the competition this year including Essendon, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide.
This expansion will see 120 new spots open up for talent from across the country as many athletes will be able to finally realise their dreams and sign their first professional contract.
Female participation in the sport of Aussie Rules has increased by 100 per cent since 2015 with more than 600,000 female participants, which sees more than 67,000 women and girls playing the sport every week.
Collier with be joined on the Swans by Woonona's Ruby-Sargent-Wilson who will wear #6.
The Swans make their AFLW debut on August 27 at North Sydney Oval in a clash with St Kilda.