The Sydney Swans have parted ways with their inaugural AFLW coach Scott Gowans after the team missed the finals in the 2025 season. The Swans finished the regular season with six wins and six losses, missing out on finals on percentage after losing six of their last eight games.
Gowans, who led the club through its first four campaigns, oversaw a promising start to the season with four consecutive wins, but a three-point upset loss to Essendon in the final round ended their finals hopes. The Swans made only one finals appearance during his tenure, in 2023, when they defeated Gold Coast before losing to Adelaide.
In a statement, Gowans expressed pride in building the team from scratch. “Watching our athletes grow and develop has been truly rewarding,” he said. “While the decision to step away has been a difficult one, the time feels right for new leadership to take the team forward.”
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich praised Gowans as “a passionate advocate for women’s sport” and noted his “vision, resilience, and commitment to empowering his players.” The club will now begin a search for a new head coach.
