SWAN Districts had a season to remember in 2025, and while the side did fall agonisingly short of a flag, it lost no followers along the way. The Swans have set themselves up for another big year with some key returns and their sights set on another deep finals run.

LAST SEASON

Finished: 3rd (Grand Final loss)
Wins: 12
Losses: 4

Swan Districts became the almost fairytale story of 2025, rising up to the finals series, grabbing third spot and then toppling Subiaco in the preliminary final to reach the decider. While ultimately they fell a straight kick away from upsetting Claremont, it was a memorable season for the black and whites.

OFF-SEASON RECRUITS

Swan Districts has bolstered its already deep midfield group, quickly working to replace the drafted Carys D’Addario by bringing in North Melbourne VFLW premiership player and best on ground in the grand final, Alana Barba. The ex-Sun and Bomber AFLW midfielder is joined by the experienced Courtney Ugle at the club, having also crossed the Nullabor to play at Swan Districts after a successful VFLW career primarily with Essendon but also played with the Bulldogs and most recently North Melbourne.

Former skipper Jessica Cox returns to the field for Swan Districts in a massive boost for the club, having recovered from her second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The penetrating kick and tough leader will step into the lineup with plenty of other experienced players.

Another former Swan Districts leader is ex-Docker Ashley Sharp who returns to state league football after playing locally and raising a family. Aside from one game last year, Sharp last ran out for the club in 2022 where she booted a goal a game from 16 matches. She can be a strong target up forward and be the Courtney Zappara replacement.

The big local inclusion for the Swans will be East Fremantle sharpshooter Chloe Reilly who adds extra firepower to the front half, as will top-age former Bulldog Shaya Yarran who has crossed from South Fremantle to join sister Summer Yarran at the club.

TOP-AGE DRAFT CHANCES

There is a big watch on talented midfielder/forward Summer Ajduk who had a breakout bottom-age campaign last season. A really smart midfielder who uses the ball well, it will be fascinating to see if she continues that role with the inclusions into the side. Grace Hirst is the other top-age prospect in the West Australian Summer Squad after gaining important League experience last year.

PRESEASON DRAFT HOPES

After another massive year, Jaime Henry looms as one to watch not just for the preseason, but end of year as well. Having shaved more than two minutes off her 2km time trial, the best and fairest winner is in incredible shape and form. Now with Barba and Ugle at the club, the Black Ducks midfielder will have plenty of defensive support at stoppages and will only get better.

Two other names among the Swan Districts prospects who nominated for last year’s draft include the ever-consistent tall rebounding defender in Isabella Edgley and the hard-running Kayley King who had some fantastic performances for the club. Cox, Tamzyn Beros, Tyla Fitzgerald and Luka Davis are also eligible after nominating last year. Dual-sport talent Sienna Gerardi will no doubt have her fans depending on which way her sporting career goes too.

OTHERS TO WATCH

A lot of the players to watch are covered above, but last year’s competition leading goalkicker in Taylah Edwards will be out for a fast start after a quiet finals series. Further afield Naomi Baker had a big year through the middle, while defender Eliza Gelmi is consistent as ever up the other end alongside Edgley. Capable to playing at either end, powerful utility Emily McGuire also provides a target and is hard to matchup one-on-one, with Demi Liddle and Lauren Quaife experienced campaigners as well.

PREDICTION

Swan Districts are in amongst a group of half a dozen teams that really should compete for the flag this season. Adding extra depth to the midfield and another scoring threat up forward certainly helps, and the on-ball group they have put together will rival Subiaco’s star-studded lineup. If they can hold up well defensively, the black and whites will go a long way to notching up the wins and pushing towards a maiden WAFLW flag.