![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/DSC_0028_96913.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
“We’re quite comfortable with where we are at and the fact there is still a bit of work to do excites us.”<\/p>\n
Heading into winter, Pidgeon warned life would get that much tougher for his young and largely inexperienced teams against the battle-hardened and more experienced bodies in the Cobras, Devils and Lions teams.<\/p>\n
“They are all formidable opponents, with an edge in game-sense,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We are not quite there, as we found out against Redan, but that’s okay.<\/p>\n
“We won’t shy away from the challenge. The girls are always looking to improve and are keen for a challenge.”<\/p>\n
Among the many positives, the Swans have been able to give several of their promising under-19s exposure at senior level, through what Pidgeon described as a mix of ‘necessity’ and ‘earned chances’.<\/p>\n
Against Redan, the club’s GWV Rebels players Macy Irvin and Sarah Burton both experienced senior BFLW football for the first time and acquitted themselves well.<\/p>\n
Irvin booted the Swans’ lone goal and was their standout performer.<\/p>\n
Several Swans players have distinguished themselves throughout the first nine rounds, among them Sunday Doddrell, who has appeared in the official best players four times in seven games, on-baller Tilly Ferguson, hard-working ruck Charley Gartlan and Yasmin O’Keeffe.<\/p>\n
Chloe Everett, a member of last year’s BFLW under-19 team of the year, has enjoyed some standout moments and was particularly good early in the season as the Swans looked to find their feet.<\/p>\n
Undoubtedly the Swans’ most consistent has been co-captain Shellby Lonie, who has set the tone in the absence of fellow leader Imogen O’Brien, who season is over due to a lingering knee injury.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Imogen did her ACL in 2024 and missed all of 2025 and then was cherry ripe to go in 2026 after a strong pre-season, but had a setback where the ligament didn’t knit properly,” Pidgeon said.<\/p>\n “She played two games, but we won’t see her again this year.<\/p>\n “We really feel for her. She’s put a lot of work in, got herself really fit and is a real positive influence around the group on field that we’ll miss.”<\/p>\n The Swans should be strengthened late in the season by the return of speedster Zoe Burke (currently overseas) and key position player Eva Hocking.<\/p>\n This Sunday’s clash against Carisbrook looms as a golden opportunity for the Swans to not put some further space between themselves and the Redbacks in the battle for a finals berth, but to maintain the pressure on the three powerhouses above.<\/p>\n Pidgeon is anticipating a tough battle against a Redbacks team that has shown marked improvement this season and led East Point until midway through the third quarter in a gallant 16-point loss in round 9.<\/p>\n “The last time we played them, the score didn’t indicate what the contest was like; they have some really good players,” he said.<\/p>\n “We’ll need to start better than we did against Redan.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BALLARAT coach Dean Pidgeon believes the Swans’ first season in BFLW senior ranks is definitely heading in the right direction, despite a ‘reality check’ in their pre-Kings Birthday long weekend bye clash against Redan. The Swans occupy fourth place on the ladder at 4-4 with seven rounds to play, a more than solid return for […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/DSC_0544_42439.jpg\")