Alice is finally a Sydney Swan!

With pick 13 in the 2022 AFLW Draft, the Sydney Swans have selected Alice Mitchell, making her both a first round pick and the second highest selection for a NSW player.

A former Sydney local, tall defender Mitchell put her hand up for selection after impressing throughout the Summer Series while playing for the Swans Red team. A Mosman Swans junior player, Mitchell moved to Gunnedah to play with the Bulldogs and went on to win the AFL North West premiership in the club’s first ever women’s team.

A product of the NSW/ACT pathway system, Mitchell suffered a significant injury in her last year of underage state footy and drifted away from the sport. Having moved to Gunnedah with her schooling complete to pursue a relationship, she got roped into playing in the Bulldogs first Women’s team and re-found her love of the game.

The timing was serendipitous as it was announced shortly afterwards that the Sydney Swans would be entering the AFLW and the fire was once again stoked. Outstanding performances during the Women’s Summer Series between the Swans and Giants saw Alice sign an open-age contract with the Swans, before the club made the realisation that they weren’t eligible to adopt that approach as Alice hadn’t nominated for the previous season’s draft, and that wrong was righted when she was selected with pick 13 at the AFLW National Draft.

Scott Gowans, Sydney Swans AFLW Senior Coach said “Alice has elite hands and a left foot that can find targets. We like that she takes the game on, and she works hard to grow her craft.

“Unfortunately Alice has sustained an ACL injury in the past week and will be not able to take part in season seven. However, we believe Alice is a talent and we know she will work hard to be back for season 8. We will make apply for Alice to be on our inactive list post draft and look to sign a replacement player.”

Alice Mitchell 
Height: 180cm
DOB: 8/8/2001
State/Club: NSW – Gunnedah & District Bulldogs
Position: Defender