SYDNEY Swans fans have plenty of bright talents to look forward to from their Academy in the 2026 AFLW Draft, and one of them is Sydney University’s Evie Bowie. The smooth-moving midfielder – who spent time rotating forward for the Allies and at times the Swans – looked fondly upon her top-age season, as she soaked in all the opportunities and experiences she received.

Describing the year as “really successful” on a personal level, she was thrilled to be able to be part of a strong Swans Academy side, as well as play in the Allies’ best performing team on record.

“We (Swans Academy) only lost one game and that was to Brisbane and I think we were all a bit disappointed with the game and knew we could throw more at it,” Bowie said. “But the rest of the season we played our hearts out, we played how we wanted to and I was really proud of the girls and I was really proud of the way I played as well, so I was really happy with that.

“Then obviously got the opportunity to go further and play in the Allies squad and enjoyed that, every moment of that. “Just playing with the next level up and being around such elite players who are obviously at this draft right now, it was such an elite experience learning from different people and it was awesome.”

Like many of the Allies players, Bowie had to adapt to a bunch of new teammates, many of whom she had never met, let alone played alongside, but it was just another experience and learning opportunity for the hungry student of the game.

“I think it was so cool just to experience, obviously played a bit on-ball with the Tas girls and then Zoe Curry coming from GWS so we all had to get used to the way that each other played and we really gelled well and I wasn’t expecting us to gel well if I’m being honest, like that quickly,” Bowie said. But it was really good to see each other’s skills and help each other out knowing how we wanted to explore those skills and use them to our advantage.

“It was really good, and got to play a bit of a different position in half-forward, and really loved that as well learning off the girls who do play there. Even the younger girls like Peggy Rock, she really had my back in the forwardline and I really enjoyed that.”

Those learnings lead to Bowie improving her overall understanding of the game and put her in a much better position to attack the draft and be ultra-prepared for life as an AFLW footballer should, as expected, her name be called out in December.

“I think just throughout the year my footy IQ and the way I attack the footy and setup has definitely improved,” Bowie said. “Something specifically was my kicking, it was alright during the year, and then I just wanted to make sure it was really consistent and have been working with one of the coaches at the Swans, and I think that’s something that’s still improving.

“But generally with the way that the year went, as I went along and gained more experiences, my whole footy IQ and when I needed to go and take a run on or work defensively, that really grew throughout the year.”

Aside from her kicking, Bowie still has a fair bit to develop, never willing to stand still and always keen to iron out aspects of her game, even the ones that have come a long way in recent years. In particular her physicality, contested ball work and overhead marking were three traits she was focused on for the near future.

“Obviously I’m one of the smaller players out there so I really want to work on contested ball and give myself the best opportunity in any aspect of the game,” she said.

Sydney’s best ever Academy haul looms at the 2026 AFLW Draft, and with a stack of players in the mix to be elevated to the club’s senior list, Bowie and her teammates are well aware that there are only so many list spots to go around, and the goal was to just reach the top level, wherever that might be.

“Right now it’s still pretty early and the Swans have helped me so much throughout the year and I’d love to be able to go there, but obviously footy is the dream and you’re willing to go anywhere,” Bowie said.

“I would love the experience of moving to a new place, not many 17/18 year-olds get to move so young to pursue your dream, so it would be amazing to go anywhere. It’s all up in the air at the moment and nothing can be finalised until after the season and close to the draft, so it’s just a waiting game I guess.”

It’s not just about getting on an AFLW list for Bowie. It is ensuring that she is able to adapt as quickly as possible, and get in a rhythm to do whatever is required to succeed at the elite level for the team that selects her. When asked about her first point of call when landing at a club, Bowie said to “chat with the coaches”.

“I’ve had a couple of talks with the crew at the Swans, but just seeing what they want me to improve on and get the consistency in the gym, I spoke on that before with gaining a bit more muscle and being a bit more toned up like the rest of the girls at the W,” Bowie said.

“That’s the first thing I’d do, and then building relationships with the girls at the club will be my top priority as they’re obviously going to become some of your best friends and you’re going to spend a lot of time with them.”

DRAFT FEATURES:

Queensland: Zoe Petrides
South Australia: Emily Mableson
Vic Country: Greea McKeegan
Vic Metro: Bailee Martin
Western Australia: Lexi Strachan