Pop’s Memory Key to Fitzgerald’s Swans Return

Tyla Fitzgerald has made a strong return to the Swan Districts WAFL Women’s team in 2025 and it was a comeback she made with the words of her late pop in the back of her mind and she now carries him with her every game.

Fitzgerald had an exciting junior career coming through at Swan Districts including a standout 2021 Rogers Cup season before then graduating to the WAFL Women’s team where she played in throughout 2022 and 2023.

Along the way, she also represented the Western Australia State 18s in both 2022 and 2023, but by the end of that 2023 season she felt she needed to step away from the WAFL level of football.

She went to play in a Kelmscott premiership in the Perth Football League in a team that was undefeated, but what was ringing in her ears was some of the last words from her pop and that was to not waste her talent.

So she decided to return to Swan Districts in 2025 and it’s working out better than she could have hoped with her fitting right back in and playing well as part of a team that had won three of their opening four games prior to last week’s general bye for the State game.

Coming back to Swan Districts

On the back of that undefeated season Fitzgerald was part of with Kelmscott in 2024, she did feel like it was a good time to come back to Swan Districts to reignite her WAFL Women’s career particularly with her late pop at the forefront of her mind.

“My pop passed away at the start of last year, and he always used to tell me to get back into footy, he’d say, “You’ve got all this talent, don’t throw it away.” That stuck with me,” Fitzgerald said.

“He believed in me, probably more than I believed in myself at times. After he passed, there was this part of me that kept hearing his voice, especially when I thought about giving the game another crack.

“Coming back to Swans has been really enjoyable. The club’s environment is strong, and it’s been awesome being part of a group that’s building something together. There’s a sense of purpose, of pride. Everyone’s got each other’s backs.

“It reminded me of why I fell in love with the game in the first place. Footy’s always been more than just a sport to me, it’s connection, it’s family, and in a way, it’s helped me honour Pop’s memory too. Every time I step out there now, I carry him with me.”

While Fitzgerald did want to come back to play in the WAFL Women’s competition to take on the advice of her pop, it still was a hard decision, but one that she is glad now to push herself to make.

“Coming into this year, I was sitting on the edge. I find it tough sometimes, especially with the pressure of people watching and expecting you to perform all the time,” she said.

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be a lot, it wears on you mentally. But I started asking myself, “Why not? What have I got to lose?” Deep down, I felt like I still had more to give at this level. That competitive fire never really went away, it was just buried for a bit.”

Successful season with Kelmscott

By the end of that 2023 season, Fitzgerald didn’t necessarily know if playing football was something she wanted to continue to do.

So that took her to play at Kelmscott where she was able to rediscover her love and passion for the game, helped by the fact she was part of an undefeated team that won a premiership and she was named at the as the team’s Most Courageous Player.

“Last year at Kelmscott was a season I’ll never forget. That club feels like home to me, I’ve got so much love for the people that are now family,” Fitzgerald said.

“It gave me a fresh perspective and helped me find the love for footy again. I came into the season not knowing exactly what to expect, but the support, the culture, and the passion within the group reignited something in me.

“Week in and week out, I was reminded of why I started playing in the first place.”

The winning at Kelmscott was obviously great for Fitzgerald to be part of, but what made that season at the Bulldogs so enjoyable that she’ll forever cherish was about much more than just that.

“The bond we built as a team got us through it all. Finishing it off with a premiership made it even more special, it was the perfect reward for all the hard work and belief,” she said.

“I’m really grateful for that time, and it’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career. It wasn’t just about the wins, it was about the people, the growth, and the love for the game coming back stronger than ever.”

Winning start at Swans

Winning is something that Fitzgerald is now well accustomed to after that year with Kelmscott and the start to the season with Swan Districts for 2025 has been impressive too.

Swans have scored wins so far this season against East Perth, Peel Thunder and West Perth just with a loss to the undefeated thrown in there against Subiaco as they prepare to play East Fremantle this Sunday afternoon.

“It’s definitely been a strong start for us. The team has gelled really well, and we’re beginning to build some great chemistry on the field,” Fitzgerald said.

“Winning three out of four gives us a lot of belief, but we know there’s still plenty of room to grow as we work towards our goals for the season.

“Every game teaches us something new, about our strengths, where we can tighten things up, and how we can push each other to be better.

“The energy in the group is really positive right now, and we’re staying focused on continuing to improve, staying consistent, and making sure we’re peaking at the right time.”

Own form coming back in 2025

Not only have Swan Districts been winning to start 2025 with three wins from their first four games, but Fitzgerald has been playing a key role too including a best of 11 possessions against Peel Thunder and then having at least two tackles and two marks in each match.

“It’s been challenging coming back after a year off. Just working hard to rebuild my fitness again but I’m definitely getting there,” Fitzgerald said.

“I think I’ve been holding my own so far, and I’m really happy with the role I’ve been given and how I’ve been able to contribute to the team. There’s always room to improve, but I feel like I’m on the right track.”

Being part of Youth Week

Fitzgerald was also part of the Swans Social Impact Team that was on board for Youth Week last month in Karratha and it was an experience she was proud to be there for.

“It was an awesome experience. Getting up to Karratha and connecting with the local community, especially the kids, was something I’ll never forget,” Fitzgerald said.

“You could really see how much it meant to them to have us up there, and honestly, it meant just as much to us. The community is beautiful, and everyone was so welcoming.

“It really reminded me of how powerful sport can be, not just for entertainment, but for bringing people together and inspiring the next generation. I feel lucky to have been part of it, and I hope we left a positive impact.”

The thing that Fitzgerald enjoyed the most from the whole week was the way that the more familiar each of the young people became with those there, the more they came out of their shell and that made it special for her to be part of.

“The energy the kids brought every day was unreal,” she said.

“One of the highlights was seeing their confidence grow throughout the week, whether through sport or just having a chat, they started opening up and showing us their goals and what they’re passionate about.

“Visiting those smaller communities and seeing how much joy the kids got out of it was pretty special. There were a few powerful moments that really reminded me how important this kind of community work is.”

While Fitzgerald is still young at 20 years of age, what she does know that she would like to do as part of her career is helping young people like she was able to do during the Youth Week in Karratha which even included a visit out to Roebourne.

“It’s incredibly rewarding. Giving back to the community and helping create positive memories for young people is something I’m truly passionate about,” Fitzgerald said.

“Even the little interactions, whether it’s a smile, a high-five, or a quick chat, can leave a lasting impact, and being a part of that is something I don’t take for granted.

“The kids loved having us there, and honestly, we loved every minute of it too. It’s amazing to see how much joy the smallest gestures can bring, and knowing we’ve contributed to their growth and confidence is a feeling that’s hard to put into words.

“The connections we made are something I’ll carry with me, and it reinforces the importance of investing in the next generation.”