SYDNEY and Greater Western Sydney have urged fans to be part of their journey ahead of the first local NAB AFL Women's derby.
The first women's clash between the cross-town rivals on Saturday has the Swans and Giants at 0-2 and needing their first win of the season.
Sydney coach Scott Gowans said there would be no better occasion for the expansion team to post its first AFLW win than against GWS at the SCG.
But he also urged potential fans to experience his team's growth from the start.
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"Enjoy the journey with us," Gowans said on Wednesday.
"We will be good one day, but I'd like to think that everyone just doesn't come on board when we are good.
"I'd like to think that they've come and seen these sort of times and seen it build and it's really special ... yes, we'll make a few mistakes, but at least we'll take the game on."
GWS skipper Alicia Eva said the arrival of the Sydney Derby was a testament to how big the AFLW has become.
"The biggest naysayers of women's sport, not just football, have been those who haven't actually gone to the games," Eva said.
"They've just got an opinion.
"So we want all of those people to get to the game to watch it to celebrate the athletes, to see the athleticism and the talent within both teams."
Eva and Sydney co-captain Brooke Lochland said the Derby will also be a celebration of the women's game and its growth outside of Victoria.
"We just want to make football in Sydney huge ...we've spoken a lot this morning about the growth of the game up here in NSW, and I think we're on the right path," Lochland said.
"The young kids in the crowd just calling out the girls' names and knowing who we are – we're still in a new team so that was really special and it's just so much more than football."
Eva added: "Together off the field, we're really going to try and drive further growth and participation and celebrate women as footballers in NSW.
"So one day, Brooke and I can put our feet up and let the other young girls go."
