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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Stephanie Convery

The women whose ‘diehard’ support of the Sydney Swans has given way to ‘dread’ and a sense of betrayal

A girl walks past the Sydney Swans' headquarters building in Sydney
Swans fans, club leaders and women who play AFL describe fatigue and frustration at what they see as yet another demonstration of a footballing culture that devalues women. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

Most people who meet Polly Burridge these days know her as “that Swans girl”. The 30-year-old is a vocal and public fan of the Sydney AFL team, making social media content about the club, networking with other fans, and co-hosting a Swans-devoted podcast, True Bloods. It’s a long way from the girl who was bullied for loving AFL as a kid growing up in the NRL heartland of south-west Sydney.

“It’s a very, very big part of my identity and how I define myself as a person,” Burridge says.

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