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Sydney\u2019s Bella Smith has reflected on the full-circle moment as she prepares for a return to her former home ground for Saturday\u2019s AFLW semi-final in Adelaide.<\/p>\n
The Swans \u2013 the surprise packets of this AFLW season \u2013 on Thursday night made one change to last week\u2019s that beat Gold Coast Suns, bringing Montana Beruldsen in to replace the injured Rebecca Privitelli, while Adelaide introduced Jessica Waterhouse at the expense of Najwa Allen.<\/p>\n
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Bella Smith is looking forward to again having her family on hand – this time closer to home for them – when she plays a semi-final at Norwood Oval in the AFLW on Saturday.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n In selection news from the other semi-final, Geelong unsurprisingly was forced to leave out Chloe Scheer, who injured her collarbone in last week\u2019s win over Essendon, and Melbourne omitted Georgia Campbell (full teams listed below).<\/p>\n For Smith, who played her junior footy for Port Pirie in South Australia and three seasons at Norwood Redlegs in the SANFL before joining Collingwood, then Sydney at the top level, the trip to play minor premier Adelaide is a homecoming.<\/p>\n While she said it would be a thrill to have her family at Norwood Oval, she said her primary focus was on securing a victory.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess a little bit of a 360 [degree cycle] for me playing my several years there [Norwood Oval]; it\u2019s played a big part in my footy career,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n Geelong will be without Chloe Scheer for their final against Melbourne after she injured her collarbone last week.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cTo come back there in front of all my family is exciting, but I guess that\u2019s not why we\u2019re going back there, we\u2019re going there to win a game.<\/p>\n \u201cSo as good as it is, there\u2019s probably a bigger focus.\u201d<\/p>\n While the sentimental journey adds a personal touch, the spotlight shifts to the competitive arena where Smith is focused on preparations for the do-or-die clash against the Crows.<\/p>\n Smith says the team carry the conviction that their recent success is no coincidence, including last week\u2019s win on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is this unwavering belief in the group that we could be anything at the moment, [we\u2019ve won] four on the trot … we were in the top eight for a reason, and now we\u2019re in the top six, so why not,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n It has been an incredible 12-month turnaround for the Swans, going from wooden spooners to semi-finalists, with Smith attributing that to the strong bond in the squad.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t talk high enough of it, it\u2019s such a big deal with the team connection and it is such a genuine connection between the group … I just feel this sense of value,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m playing my role for the team which just wants me to play better.\u201d<\/p>\n AAP<\/strong><\/p>\n ADELAIDE<\/strong> SYDNEY SWANS<\/strong> MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Teams: Adelaide v Sydney Swans<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Backs:<\/strong> C.Randall, Z.Prowse
Half-backs:<\/strong> C.Biddell, S.Allan, S.Goodwin
Centre:<\/strong> S.Thompson, A.Hatchard, N.Kelly
Half-forward:<\/strong> E.Jones, D.Ponter, Y.Bonner
Forwards:<\/strong> C.Gould, R.Martin
Followers:<\/strong> J.Allan, E.Marinoff, T.Charlton
Interchange:<\/strong> K.Mueller, M.McKinnon, M.Newman, J.Waterhouse, H.Munyard
Emergencies:<\/strong> N.Allen, D.Varnhagen, B.Tonon
In:<\/strong> J.Waterhouse
Out:<\/strong> N.Allen (omitted).<\/p>\n
Backs:<\/strong> B.Tarrant, J.O\u2019Sullivan
Half-backs:<\/strong> E.Vale, A.Mitchell, E.Heads
Centre:<\/strong> L.McEvoy, T.Kennedy, L.Steane
Half-forwards:<\/strong> C.Hamilton, P.McCarthy, B.Lochland
Forwards:<\/strong> M.Ham, S.Hurley
Followers:<\/strong> B.Smith, L.Gardiner, C.Molloy
Interchange:<\/strong> A.Whelan, M.Beruldsen, A.Hamilton, A.Woodward, A.Newman
Emergencies:<\/strong> S.Ford, J.Anthony, P.Sheppard
In:<\/strong> M.Beruldsen
Out:<\/strong> R.Privitelli (injured)<\/p>\nTeams: Melbourne v Geelong<\/h3>\n
Backs:<\/strong> L.Birch, T.Gillard
Half-backs:<\/strong> S.Goldrick, M.Gay, S.Heath
Centre:<\/strong> B.Mackin, T.Hanks, A.Mackin
Half-forwards:<\/strong> M.Fitzsimon, P.Paxman, E.Zanker
Forwards:<\/strong> K.Hore, T.Harris
Followers:<\/strong> L.Pearce, O.Purcell, L.Mithen
Interchange from:<\/strong> M.Chaplin, E.West, E.McNamara, A.Bannan, J.Ivey, R.Watt, C.Wilson, S.Johnson
In:<\/strong> E.West, R.Watt, C.Wilson, S.Johnson
Out:<\/strong> G.Campbell (omitted)<\/p>\n