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🇦🇺 Australia /Sports

Swans AFLW star says club’s men’s and women’s teams are closer than ever

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Sydney AFLW player Cynthia Hamilton says the club’s men’s and women’s teams have grown closer amid turmoil surrounding the men’s team.
  • Hamilton urged fans to support the Swans in Sunday’s Sydney derby against GWS at Henson Park.
  • Several men’s players remain suspended, while both teams have received strong support from fans.

Cynthia Hamilton describes the Sydney Swans’ response to the Pullman Hotel scandal as “actually beautiful”, saying the crisis has brought the club’s men’s and women’s teams closer together rather than splitting them apart.

The AFLW player urged supporters to keep backing the women’s side in Sunday’s Sydney derby against GWS at Henson Park. Sydney will play in the Harbour City for the first time since its SCG double-header in the second round, after hosting a match in Coffs Harbour in round three.

This has honestly brought us closer. We're doing breathwork in the morning together, we're doing little things.

· Cynthia HamiltonHamilton described activities bringing Sydney’s men’s and women’s players together.

Fans turned out in force for the women’s victory over Essendon soon after the scandal involving the men’s team. The crowd of 16,672 more than doubled Sydney’s previous home attendance record in the AFLW. By contrast, only 30,058 fans watched the men defeat North Melbourne at the SCG, the team’s lowest home crowd of the season.

In light of what's happened, it's actually kind of beautiful how the club has reacted. I would say we're closer than what we were before.

· Cynthia HamiltonShe assessed the club’s response to the scandal and its effect on team unity.

Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, who had been considered All-Australian contenders, are among five players serving club-imposed bans. James Jordon and Riley Bice are also unavailable for the rest of the season. As the men work to rebuild respect for the Swans’ “Bloods” culture, Errol Gulden has brought players from both teams together for morning breathwork sessions.

“This has honestly brought us closer. We're doing breathwork in the morning together, we're doing little things,” Hamilton said. “In light of what's happened, it's actually kind of beautiful how the club has reacted. I would say we're closer than what we were before.” Hamilton also pointed to the support shown at recent matches, asking fans to “keep getting around us” and promising the team would not disappoint. GWS forward Tarni Evans has also backed support for the fixture. GWS enter the derby 14th after three straight losses, while Sydney are fifth following a 27-point defeat by the Western Bulldogs.

Keep getting around us, keep showing up, and we won't disappoint, hopefully.

· Cynthia HamiltonHamilton urged supporters to continue attending the Swans’ matches.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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