McGuire Celebrates Milestone in Reconciliation Game

Having a break from football in 2023 has done everything that Emily McGuire hoped it would and she's coming back having a significant impact in attack for Swan Districts ahead of her 100+ game celebration this Sunday.

McGuire had always been a standout player in the previous WAWFL competition or once the new WAFLW came to fruition in 2019 while also having her opportunities to play both at the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles in the AFLW.

However, coming off playing in the AFLW, continuing to play at Swan Districts and then also juggling building her career away from football and the work commitments, McGuire felt like she needed a break from football in 2023.

That was all about putting her own mental health wellbeing first and she didn’t know what it would mean for her footballing future, but as the 2023 season unfolded McGuire did start to suffer from a degree of FOMO.

She then thought about returning in 2024, when Briana Hyde made the decision to return as well too then that cemented it for McGuire, and she's only gone from strength to strength ever since.

McGuire played a lot of the first half of her career as a dangerous goalkicking forward, but in recent seasons she had settled into a key defensive role.

However, she has gone back into attack so far this season on her return to Swan Districts and it's had impressive results with her kicking 13 goals across nine matches including four in each of the past two wins against South Fremantle and East Perth.

Now this Sunday is a big challenge for Swan Districts up against the league-leading East Fremantle at Steel Blue Oval. The Sharks are the reigning premiers and now on an eight-game winning streak this season, but Swans sit in fourth position too after those past two wins.

It's a big day on a number of fronts this Sunday for Swan Districts not only with the game against the reigning premiers but it's also Reconciliation Game and for McGuire, she will be celebrating her 100+ senior games for the black-and-whites.

The combination of all that has the 25-year-old tremendously excited for Sunday.

"East Freo have always been a tough opponent, they're the reigning premiers and they play some good footy," McGuire said.

"It's my all-time favourite round, getting to represent my culture on our home deck for the celebration of my 100+ games, it really can't get any better than that!

"I'm hoping we can get the win against a great opposition in East Freo and keep our finals chances alive."

The first 33 of those games were in the previous WAWFL competition which included McGuire kicking three goals in the grand final triumph against East Fremantle in 2016 and she was again a key player in the win a year later against the Coastal Titans.

That also saw her earn an opportunity to play three AFLW games with Fremantle in 2018 and then after the WAFLW competition was started in 2019, McGuire was also drafted by West Coast and would play another three AFLW matches in 2020.

She would continue to play at Swan Districts up to the end of the 2022 season, then took that much needed break in 2023, and now is proud to return and get to celebrate her 100+ game milestone with the club this Sunday.

"I have loved this club from day one many years ago. Been having moments of reflection in the build up to this weekend, it's been a tough but unforgettable journey - hopefully we can get the win."

It's been a significantly new looking playing group for McGuire to rejoin at Swan Districts in 2024 and plenty of new and young faces coming into the WAFLW team.

However, she couldn’t be enjoying her football more being back in 2024 and now that there's just three weeks remaining of the home and away season, there's an exciting feeling around the group coming off the wins over the Bulldogs and Royals to have them currently occupying fourth position.

"I'm loving being back, being with the group, playing footy and getting some wins on the board," McGuire said.

"Yeah there's always a buzz around the group when we had a win over the weekend. We are showcasing our brand of football, so hopefully this can carry over the next few weeks and secure us in a top four spot."

McGuire would have been open to playing at either end of the ground when returning to Swan Districts in 2024 and to do whatever coach Brett Bowness felt would be best for the team.

However, she's also not afraid to say that she's more than happy to be playing in the forward-line and her love of kicking goals has been on display with eight goals in the past two wins over South Fremantle and East Perth.

At the same time, she's enjoying seeing the next generation of forwards with Swans gaining some experience too and then having someone like Courtney Zappara alongside her who kicked seven as well against the Royals last week.

"Yeah, I have been having lots of fun and loving the freedom of having a lot of space to work with," McGuire said.

"I'm loving working in the forward line with some young guns coming through like Sienna Gerardi. Having the balance of youth and experience is a strength and hopefully we can keep scoring goals."