Henson Park comes alive in October
Aliesha Newman (Sydney Swans) and Ally Dallaway (GIANTS) join Inner West Mayor Clr Darcy Byrne on the hallowed turf of Henson Park. Fans are permitted to bring chairs into the venue for the remainder of the AFLW season. Photo: Inner West Council
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Following the record AFLW crowd in September, residents of Sydney’s Inner West and AFL fans across the city will be delighted to hear about three further elite AFLW matches hosted at Henson Park in October, with the Sydney Swans and the GIANTS each playing at the iconic ground as they round out the AFLW’s eighth season.
As a bonus, the AFL has listened to match-goers’ feedback and will allow spectators to bring in their own chairs to all remaining AFLW games at Henson Park in 2023. This gives them the opportunity to nestle in for a great afternoon with friends and family on Henson hill.
Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Tiffany Robertson, is excited for a three-week run at Henson Park.
“There’s no doubt Henson Park is one of the AFLW’s most beautiful venues,” she said. “It provides a great matchday experience for spectators by bringing a community feel to elite football.
“This was evident a few weeks ago when the Sydney Swans defeated West Coast in from of a record AFLW crowd at Henson Park.
“I look forward to the momentum building each week and fans young and old soaking in the community atmosphere and cheering on these two wonderful teams.”
The Swans will play the annual Marn Grook match on Saturday, 14 October as part of the AFLW’s Indigenous Round to celebrate the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls to Australian football and the broader community.
The Swans will then return to Henson Park for the season’s penultimate round (Round 9) against Collingwood on Sunday, 29 October preceding the Reclink Community Cup.
The GIANTS play at Henson Park for the first time in 2023 on Saturday, 21 October. The side is looking forward to coming back to the Inner West and hearing the cheers ring out from the orange army and supportive locals.
In addition to the elite AFLW competition on display, there will special off-field activities, food and beverages for spectators to enjoy including local food truck and breweries, inflatables for kids, giveaways and free face painting.
Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne was joined by AFLW players Aliesha Newman from the Sydney Swans and Ally Dallaway from the GIANTS to announce the change and encourage Inner West residents to get behind the AFLW.
“Henson Park is an important part of the Inner West fabric and we are excited to host these Indigenous Round matches on the lands of the Gadigal and Wangal peoples, with this Saturday an important day for First Nations people and all Australians,” Mayor Byrne said.
“I hope AFLW can continue to grow and provide more opportunities to elite women athletes from our area and I’m excited to see records continue to be broken at the ground.”
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Upcoming Henson Park matches
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Round 7
Date: Saturday, 14 October
First bounce: 3:05pm
Teams: Sydney Swans v Hawthorn
Extra: Bring chairs into the venue, Marn Grook match, Beer Footy & Food vendors, free kids activities, Sydney Swans First Nations Foundations trials
Tickets: $10 for adults, free for U18s. Purchase here.
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Round 8
Date: Saturday, 21 October
First bounce: 3:05pm
Teams: GIANTS v Carlton
Extra: Bring chairs into the venue, free kids activities
Tickets: $10 for adults, free for U18s. Purchase here.
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Round 9
Date: Sunday, 29 October
First bounce: 1:05pm
Teams: Sydney Swans v Collingwood
Extra: Bring chairs into the venue, Beer Footy & Food Beer vendors, free kids activities, Reclink Community Cup (following the match)
Tickets: $10 for adults, free for U18s. Purchase here.
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