As the AFLW season approaches, the popular show *Credit to the Girls* returns, with hosts Sarah Black, Lucy Watkin, and Gemma Bastiani offering an in-depth analysis of every team in the league, setting the stage for what fans can anticipate in 2024. In the final episode of their pre-season special, the focus shifts to two notable teams from the previous year: Sydney, which saw significant improvement, and North Melbourne, which finally broke through to reach the Grand Final.
 Sydney’s Challenges Ahead
Sydney is coming off a remarkable season in 2023, where they made a surprise run to the finals and secured a win over Gold Coast. However, the question now is whether the Swans can maintain that momentum in 2024, especially given the tougher fixture they face. According to AFLW analyst Gemma Bastiani, Sydney’s last six games in the regular season will be particularly challenging. They will face strong opponents, including Essendon (a finalist last year), Geelong (a preliminary finalist), North Melbourne (a Grand Finalist), Gold Coast (an elimination finalist), Brisbane (the reigning premier), and the Eagles. This difficult schedule raises doubts about whether Sydney can replicate their success from last season.
For Sydney, the pass mark for 2024 is clear: making the finals again. This would not only validate their 2023 performance but also demonstrate that their breakthrough win was no fluke. The off-season has seen some changes in the team’s roster, with notable additions including Giselle Davies from Gold Coast and Kiara Hiller from Brisbane. On the other hand, they have also lost players like Aliesha Newman to Greater Western Sydney and several others who were delisted. Despite these changes, the Swans will be looking to build on the potential breakout year of Montana Ham and navigate the challenges posed by a tough fixture. Whether other clubs have figured out how to counter Sydney’s game plan remains to be seen.
 North Melbourne’s High Expectations
North Melbourne enters the 2024 season with high expectations after making their first-ever Grand Final appearance last year. The question on everyone’s mind is whether the Roos can build on that success and go one better this season. AFLW reporter Sarah Black points out that North Melbourne managed to overcome significant hurdles last year by defeating both Adelaide and Melbourne to reach the Grand Final. The confidence gained from these victories will be crucial as they head into the new season.
For North Melbourne, the pass mark is a top-three finish and a return to the preliminary finals at a minimum. As Black notes, preliminary finals can be unpredictable, as last season demonstrated, so merely reaching that stage would be considered a success. The off-season has brought some changes to the Roos’ roster as well. They have added key players like Libby Birch from Melbourne and several draft picks, while also dealing with the loss of Ellie Gavalas to the Western Bulldogs and Ailish Considine to retirement. Additionally, Vikki Wall, who was inactive last season due to rugby commitments, is expected to return, adding depth to North Melbourne’s tall forward line. The upcoming season may also mark the final campaign for veterans Emma Kearney and Kate Shierlaw, making it a potentially significant year for the club.
As the AFLW season kicks off, fans will be eager to see whether Sydney can continue their upward trajectory and if North Melbourne can capitalize on their breakthrough season. With tougher fixtures and roster changes, both teams face unique challenges that will test their resilience and adaptability in 2024.
