Maddie Quinn Drafted to AFLW Sydney Swans

We are so thrilled to celebrate one of our own, with junior standout Maddie Quinn drafted to the Sydney Swans AFLW in late 2025.

Maddie’s journey through the club has been a special one, and one that many in our community have had the privilege to witness. Former coach Pep Moles, who worked with Maddie from the age of 11 through to 17, reflected on her development with great pride.

“I had the privilege of coaching Maddie on and off during those years, and watching her development was incredibly rewarding,” she said.

“Maddie started out very green, but from the outset she possessed outstanding athletic ability. Her speed, ability to pick the ball up cleanly off the ground, and her high football IQ were evident very early in her junior career.  While her kicking and handball skills initially needed refinement, her natural game sense and competitiveness always stood out,” Pep said.

As Maddie grew, so did her technical skill. Her selection into the Sydney Swans Academy proved to be a pivotal moment in her development, with the combination of elite academy training and regular Saints sessions accelerating her improvement.

“Every time Maddie stepped onto the field, her commitment and team-first mindset were unmistakable,” Pep said.

Maddie was highly respected by her peers throughout her entire time at the Saints and was a delight to coach.

“She was kind, supportive, always willing to listen, and, most importantly, able to put feedback into action,” Pep said. “She encouraged those around her, set standards through her actions, and was the type of player others naturally looked up to.”

Maddie’s reliability was second to none, never missing a training session or a game during her time at the club.

She was also a real community person, always happy to help in the canteen, assist with ground management, and support the club behind the scenes. A leader on and off the field, Maddie often played multiple games across a weekend, lining up for her own age group and then playing up whenever she was needed to support others.

Within the academy system, Maddie continued to go from strength to strength, consistently performing as one of the best players on the field. Her love for the game became more evident with each passing year.

“Many of us at Maroubra often said that she would one day reach AFLW level,” Pep said. “Her drafting came as no surprise to anyone who had watched her journey.”

Maddie’s success has also been underpinned by the unwavering support of her family, who were always present at games and became an important part of the Saints community.

As Maddie takes this next exciting step, everyone at Maroubra couldn’t be prouder.

We wish Maddie all the very best as she continues her football career at the elite level.

We can’t wait to see what’s ahead for her in the AFLW. If her junior years are anything to go by, there’s plenty more to come.