Griffith has scored twice after Grace Buchan decided to move here. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A Griffith Swans player who claimed the Riverina AFLW’s top award for 2026 says she wants to use her platform to fight for a proper, full-length season for female footballers in the region.
Grace Buchan wasn’t supposed to end up in Griffith. She was playing VFLW for St Kilda when she stepped away from city life for what was meant to be a short stint doing almond harvest work in Darlington Point.
Instead, she stayed – and this town has scored twice.
The 30-year-old has not only lifted the standard of women’s footy locally, she’s also filled a critical healthcare gap, setting up as a podiatrist and cutting wait times that had stretched to six weeks.
On the field, she dominated as a midfielder for the Swans, winning best-on-ground honours in three of her eight games and taking out the Julie McLean Medal – the Riverina AFLW’s equivalent of the Brownlow – awarded to the competition’s most consistent performer.
But her season has already ended, just as the men’s competition is getting going, which is something she’s keen to change.
Region caught up with Ms Buchan to talk about her win, her move to the bush, her AFL roots and why she believes women’s footy in the Riverina is being shortchanged.
What would you like to change in the Riverina AFLW?
I want them to extend the season from eight games to 16. The reason they say they can’t do it is not to conflict with netball. But I believe you can make it work; I don’t mind when the season is – we just need more games and having an official full season.
I look at Alexis Harrison and Sophie Webb, two junior players who had gun seasons; we need to keep them in our community and give them a competition in which they can play in regularly.
Moving to a small town like Griffith must mean sacrificing your sporting ambition?
It does – I can’t play at a high level when I’m living here. I feel I still could be a part of an elite team. But I want to use my time more effectively to help girls coming through in a country area, where they don’t have as many opportunities as they do in the city. I want to help build the sport here, to be an advocate for the game and I’m glad I’m able to offer podiatry services the town needs.
The Riverina AFLW team of the year. Photo: Riverina AFLW.
What’s your Aussie Rules background?
I grew up in Melbourne and have been playing since I was eleven, when I started playing in a mixed team.
I played for Collingwood in the VFLW; I was fortunate enough to co-captain the premiership-winning team in 2019. I also played for St Kilda, and since moving here I’ve had a stint coaching girls in Narrandera with GWS.
How did you feel about the controversy earlier this year when a coach was overheard criticising women’s bodies?
Those comments just set us back and show we need to put thought where it’s needed. It shows we are not where we need to be in women’s sport. It’s not OK to make those comments; they have an impact not just on AFL but the wider community.
Why do you think you took out the season’s top award?
I felt there’s been major growth with so much talent coming through since I first arrived here – there was a lot of competition so I’m surprised I won.
I give credit to Jenna Richards, who also played an exceptional season and I wouldn’t have gotten this award without her.
Grace accepts the award from Julie McLean, a women’s football icon who the medal was named after. Photo: Riverina AFLW.
What are your key skills on the field?
I have the ability to read the game and get into the right position to stream out of the pack and put boot to ball.
Who’s your AFL team?
I am super passionate about Melbourne Football Club through my dad.
Who are your favourite players?
Kysaiah Pickett – he has so much raw talent that you can’t coach; he can score a goal from any angle.
Brianna Davey and Steph Chiocci were both pioneers of the game that I played with when I was made captain. It was great to have their experience in my team.
Finally, why is AFL better than rugby league?
It’s more exciting to watch, there’s more skill component, there’s more space you have to cover and you score more goals. But I would say that, I come from Victoria where we live and breathe the game.
