Ex-Swan Colin O’Riordan will lead Sydney’s women’s program as the first Irish senior coach in AFLW/AFLW history.
The Swans on Wednesday confirmed O’Riordan as their new AFLW coach for 2026 in a historic appointment.
O’Riordan, 30, played 34 AFL games for the club between 2016 and 2022 before retiring due to chronic hip injuries.
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He’s remained at the Swans in a variety of coaching roles and now gets an opportunity in the AFLW program’s top job.
“Ever since I arrived at the Sydney Swans as a player I fell in love with the place, so to be trusted with the role as AFLW senior coach is a huge honour,” O’Riordan said.
“I have a lot of faith in the current playing list and I think we have the foundations of a successful team.
“I’m extremely grateful that the club has given me the chance to take on a more senior coaching role and I can’t wait to get started.”
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He replaces long-time coach Scott Gowans, who was sacked in November despite being contracted until 2027, following the club’s late-season fade-out that saw it tumble out of the top eight.
Originally from Tipperary, O’Riordan worked as a line coach in Gowans’ team and spent the last couple of years as the men’s Academy head coach.
In his former role, O’Riordan worked closely with several of Sydney’s young Academy players drafted last month including Harry Kyle, Max King and Lachie Carmichael.
No. 49 pick King recently endorsed O’Riordan for having a key influence on his footy journey.
“He’s probably the reason I’m here today. He’s been awesome for me, really helped develop me as a player,” King told foxfooty.com.au’s Dylan Bolch.
“He’s been drafted and played AFL football, he knows the highs and lows of footy. It’s good to have someone I can trust and understand. He’s not so much a coach but just a mate towards me now, he’s been really good.”
It leaves just Melbourne and Richmond as the two remaining AFLW teams still needing to fill senior coaching vacancies.
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