The start date of the next AFLW season will be announced in a few days, following a breakthrough in negotiations with the players’ union.
Key points:
- AFL CEO says negotiations on a collective agreement are almost complete
- Four new clubs will enter the competition next season: Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney.
- Players want more rounds but McLachlan says: ‘We want to consolidate before expanding’
AFLW clubs have been given tentative dates for the competition, which will move from a summer time slot to an August start date.
The delay in revealing the exact start date has been criticized by many AFLW players.
But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said negotiations on a new AFLW collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union were nearly complete.
“I’m sure we will reach an agreement within the next 24 to 36 hours,” McLachlan told reporters in Adelaide on Monday.
“It’s important that we get the result right for our players and also for the 18 clubs… and for women’s football in general.
“I hope people understand that moving to an early start date without collective bargaining [agreement]these things take some time.
“The players know that we will play in August. The clubs have provisional dates.
“We’re close… I’m optimistic we’ll have an announcement in the next few days.”
Four new clubs will enter the AFLW next season, making it an 18-team competition.
Last season’s league was a nine-round competition followed by finals that ended with a grand final on April 9.
Players want more rounds, given the increased number of clubs, but McLachlan hinted that their wish may not be granted.
“Generally speaking, the cohort of female players wants to play a longer season,” McLachlan said.
“It is also our opinion [that] we will incorporate four more teams and we want to consolidate before expanding.
“That’s obviously something we’ve been discussing.
“It’s a real issue for the players, I know… it’s obviously something that has been a key part of the discussions.”
Meanwhile, expansion team Hawthorn have attracted Tilly Lucas-Rodd (St Kilda), Jess Duffin (North Melbourne), Janet Baird (Gold Coast) and Akec Makur Chuot (Richmond) from rival clubs for their inaugural AFLW season. .
Lucas-Rodd finished second in the Saints’ best and fairest competition last season, while two-sport star Duffin is a two-time All-Australian.
The 32-year-old has also been a successful cricketer, captaining the Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL.
The expansion comes before a new documentary series titled Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW release next year.
The series, announced by The Walt Disney Company and the AFL, will spotlight the Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs, and will feature behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews with players.
“We are privileged to be the creative team tasked with the responsibility of telling the extraordinary story of the AFLW and the stellar women who are creating such important legacies on both sides of football’s white line,” said JAM TV Australia Executive Producer , Anne-Maree Sparkman. she said.
“The courage, commitment and enduring team spirit of these athletes will be a compelling display that will amaze, inspire and capture hearts and imaginations.
“We thank Disney and the AFL for sharing our vision and hope the world embraces these amazing stories.”
AAP/ABC
Aware , updated