Tanya Kennedy determined to make the most of AFLW dream at the Sydney Swans

Tanya Kennedy admits her Aussie Rules dream is being partly fueled by a determination to prove that she is good enough to hang with the AFLW elite. 

The 30-year-old Robert Emmets clubwoman only took up the game two years ago when her undoubted athleticism and skill transferred almost seamlessly in the VFL - a secondary and feeder competition to the AFLW. 

Based in Sydney for over a decade now, she’d kept her Gaelic football skills honed by turning out for Bondi Junction’s Clan na nGael. 

She realised another dream earlier this season when she picked up an Ulster SFC medal with Donegal. But she returned to Oz shortly after knowing that an AFLW opportunity was on the cards. 

Shes been on the fringes of draft picks for the last few seasons but ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, she was finally given her chance. 

She imagined it might take her some time to get up to speed in a professional sport. But for a girl former Donegal boss Maxi Curran previously described as “one of, if not, the best natural athlete he’s ever worked with” that transition was made without any real bump. 

“It was when I was asked to train on with the professional team and I realised it wasn’t so much out of my reach,” she told the Swan’s own media channel. 

“I’ve always played Gaelic Football. From two-years-old I was kicking a football. I started playing AFL two years ago and I’ve worked my way up and I realised, ‘Oh I really want this’.” 

The Swans suffered an 87-32 loss against Brisbane Lions at the weekend but Kennedy was again one of the side’s standout performers. 

And she says the support from her family back home in Castlefin is still felt, despite the distance.  

“My family and my close friends, they’ve always pushed me on and have given me, I suppose, the belief I’ve needed that I could get to this level.

“Two years ago, I went back to Ireland and played Gaelic Football. I’ve been over here for a really long time, and I’ve been out of that environment with the top level of Gaelic which I used to play through my younger years. 

“That all changed the way I thought about the sport and the professional environment. That’s when I thought I wanted to make a career out of professional sport.  

“I originally moved to Australia for a holiday (back in 2012), and I loved it so ended up staying. I discovered how big AFL was here – I watched the men at the SCG – and then a few years ago I decided I wanted to play it.” 

In terms of her greatest strength, Kennedy says her determination on and off the field has been the real difference-maker. 

“Not giving up whenever something’s not looking likely. Not throwing in the towel. I’m good at going after something I really want.”