Around the world, football derbies (no matter the code) are always some of the best – and most anticipated - games on the season calendar. They evolve every year, with the pride and legacy of teams before them being passed on from generation to generation.

As a young Liverpool fan, I used to love watching Liverpool play Everton in the EPL. The extra level of excitement gave you a buzz, and the wins were always so much sweeter.

This weekend will see us play our first ever AFLW Sydney Derby, GIANTS v Swans. The AFL Sydney Derby always creates a buzz around Sydney. It’s the weekend where AFL in Sydney gets real hype – footy is centre stage, and you know you’re going to get a hot contest, no matter how each team is going during that season. The history, the location, east v west, red v orange. 

Despite it being the youngest rivalry in the AFL, each year the contest gets tougher, the meaning grows, and the wins mean that much more. I know, because watching our boys go down to the Swans in round 20 of the AFL season was heartbreaking. But we’re keen to get the win back, starting this weekend at the first-ever AFLW Sydney Derby. History is set to be made, and we want to be on the right side of it.

Whilst my competitive edge wants to see us win, I also know how important this Derby is for more than just our two football clubs. Having two teams in Sydney is more than just a derby. It’s about more representation of female athletes in Sydney, and it’s about growing the game, and allowing young girls to see that they can live out their dreams – football or otherwise. We have seen the increase in female football participation in NSW/ACT ever since the GIANTS came into the inaugural competition in 2017, and this is only going to continue to rise with two AFLW teams in Sydney now.

But let’s be clear – we know which side of history we want to be on. We play for young girls, we play for our family, we play for our fans, but we also play to win. History will be made in Sydney this weekend and I cannot wait to be a part of this rivalry for many years to come.