The two Tamworth teams don't need any extra motivation when it comes to a local derby but on Tuesday night at No. 1 Oval, they'll have just that.
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The sides will play for the Abbott-George Cup, named after two prominent AFL families in Tamworth, for the first time.
Tamworth Swan Jess Kirkpatrick and Kangaroos captain Mackenzie Barton both said the cup would "100 per cent" help motivate their teams.
"I think every single person knows how important it would be to win the cup in its first year," Kirkpatrick said.
"Particularly with Brendan [George] on the coaching staff and Daisy [George] leading us - everyone is striving to win it."
Barton said: "Our last game against the Swans, they came out hard and took the first win so we've gotta go in pretty hard tomorrow and get a win and go to a decider.
"It's the first year having the Abbott-George Cup and it adds a bit more excitement. It's something else to play for.
"The whole [Abbott] family have put a lot into the club and women's footy in Tamworth. To bring the cup home to them would be an awesome thing."
The match is being played on Tuesday night after No. 1 Oval and Riverside 5 were both closed by Tamworth Regional Council on Saturday due to wet weather.
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The re-scheduling adds another interesting element to the game. It will be the Roos' second night clash this year and the Swans' first.
"We're all keen and to get another game under lights is pretty cool," Barton said.
"I think it's good. It shakes things up a bit. You don't get to do it often and it's different circumstances under lights. I think you play better. You're a bit fresher and it's not as hot."
Kirkpatrick said the Swans were also looking forward to the night game.
"We're just happy to get a game and it shows both teams are committed to playing," she said.
"Under lights is unique and it's a good way to test if it's something we can build into a fixture into the future."
A win for the Swans would see them take home the Abbott-George Cup after they won the first clash, 11.12 (78) to 1.3 (9), between the teams in round three.
The Kangaroos were winless at that point of the season but they have since improved and sit equal on the ladder with the Swans on four wins each.
Ben Jaffrey
Ben is a content curator and journalist for The Land. He has been with ACM since 2015 and first worked at The Area News and then at the Northern Daily Leader. Ben first joined ACM Agri as a digital journalist for all seven agricultural mastheads in 2022 before shifting to The Land full-time in 2023.
Ben is a content curator and journalist for The Land. He has been with ACM since 2015 and first worked at The Area News and then at the Northern Daily Leader. Ben first joined ACM Agri as a digital journalist for all seven agricultural mastheads in 2022 before shifting to The Land full-time in 2023.
