Or, y’know, if it was credible it’d be reported in places other than the comment section of r/AFL.
2 Likes
anything on Reddit - take with a pinch of salt.
BigFooty?
2 Likes
In a lengthy presentation this week (Tuesday and Wednesday) to the 18 club chiefs, AFL boss Andrew Dillon and his team acknowledged the significant challenges presented by the rapid and costly expansion of the nine-season-old competition, which has endured diminishing TV audiences and crowd numbers.
A detailed review of AFLW has concluded that the players’ wish for an expanded season by 2031-32, in which every team played each other once, would come at a $200 million annual loss.
With improved playing standards the top priority, AFLW’s second-most urgent requirement was to lift attendance numbers and TV ratings. The competition’s financial viability was the third priority as head office works towards its long-term goal of the women’s game achieving its own broadcast deal beyond 2031.
While several CEOs on the Gold Coast (conference) pointed to the additional government funding, sponsorship, cultural benefits and new audiences driven by AFLW, Dillon and his team remained adamant the competition could not afford to support significant further expansion as it heads towards the next player wage negotiations. Currently, the AFLW costs about $100 million per year to run, earning back about $50 million.
1 Like
Their mistake was expanding in the first place. The NRL has got it right.
The problem is more on an individual club level, I think nearly everyone wanted or understood a need for the AFLW to be a smaller competition to keep the talent pool maximised - but they wanted their team to be one of the 8-12 clubs in the league.
Merged/combination women’s clubs would have made sense - but administrators would fear it would make a precedent for a men’s program merger should enough people barrack for the “Essendon-Richmond Double Sash” in AFLW.
This weekend we have our first NRLW Magic Round being held in Newcastle.
I think this might give the AFLW some food for thought as to how a potential AFLW Gather Round could work. I reckon south-east Queensland or Sydney could be potential places to hold it.
South-east Queensland has Brighton Homes Arena (home ground of the Brisbane Lions), Hickey Park and Carrara Stadium, where the nine matches could be evenly spread across.
Similarly, venues in Sydney may include Henson Park, Blacktown ISP and North Sydney Oval.
Rule out Henson Park. For something like a Magic Round you need a precinct for various activities. Henson Park is too small, unless yoy close off Sydnenham Road and use the front of Marrickville High.
North Sydney Oval would be good, close to public transport. Blacktown ISP is OK, but too far out.
We could also use Engie Stadium and have the Giants play (for example) Collingwood or Essendon.
The Swans could then play at North Sydney Oval.
For a South-East Queensland Gather Round, the Lions and Suns would play at their respective home grounds.
Would depend on timing - they have a window for Concerts after AFL season and before it needs to be handed over for the BBL
1 Like
No, just have it all at Engie Stadium if thats the case.
They’d need to turn the stadium around in a short space of time; so I based a potential AFLW Gather Round on what they do for the men’s event in Adelaide (i.e. use multiple venues, have a game at Adelaide Oval in the early afternoon, then turn the stadium around for an evening game; in the middle there would be a game at Norwood Oval).
The 2025 season launch was held at CIEL The Venue at Southbank, Melbourne last night.
2 Likes
Swannies giving it to the Tigers tonight.
1 Like
Swans had a ton’o’fun against the Suns this afternoon. 
Molloy equalled the most goals kicked in a single match.
1 Like
And Collingwood had their first win in 331 days, coming from behind to beat GWS by eight points at Victoria Park this afternoon.
