Swans to face Bombers in Coffs this weekend

SYDNEY Swans are set to play the biggest game of their season in Coffs Harbour this weekend, with a potential finals spot up for grabs when they take on the Essendon Bombers in their AFLW match.

The Swans and Bombers face off in the final round of the season, with the first bounce from 5.05pm on Saturday, 1 November, at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

The Swans have everything to play for in Coffs Harbour, with a finals spot up for grabs.

The Swans currently sit in ninth spot on the ladder with 24 points, with the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows in seventh and eighth on the same points but a higher percentage, so a Swans win in Coffs Harbour could seal a finals spot.

The Bombers are out of finals contention with three wins for the season.

It will be the second straight year Coffs Harbour has hosted a Swans game, with the Sydney side going down to the Richmond Tigers in Round 3 of last season.

Swans forwards coach and former AFLW player Brooke Lochland said the side were looking forward to their return to Coffs.

“We’re very excited to get up there, we love it as a destination and you do get excited due to the location,” she said.

“Us and our men’s team have a great affiliation with Coffs Harbour, and we held our community camp here in July.

“The stadium is a great deck to play on; it’s a beautiful ground and a fast desk that feels good on your body to play on.”

The AFLW premiership player was expecting a Bombers side who would be primed to end their season on a high.

“They’ve had a pretty injury riddled season, and I know as a former player that when you know you can’t make finals there’s a bit of pressure off, and sometimes you play your best footy,” Lochland said.

“They beat us by three points when we played them last season, and they’ll really want to end their season with a win, so we’ll be prepared.”

By Aiden BURGESS