Play Nice AFL Womens - General Discussion

[mpal6]

You don't seem to understand what an unfair advantage is. What mechanism is there that only North have access to that has allowed them to recruit and maintain players better than any given club? We have the same draft, same recruitment mechanisms, same contract rules, same salary rules as every other club, and we're in the same city as 8 other clubs. What is it? Is it that North put more resources into building their women's program than other comparable clubs did, making it currently a more attractive place to play football? Because that's not an unfair advantage, anyone else could've done that.

Not my claim on unfair advantage but a claim from ex-coach below. Clearly early starters got raided which was the way league was growing to grow but it seems AFL isn't bringing any equalization measure now in spite of you running 2 seasons undefeated. Different standards applied now clearly.

League blocked trades that didn't benefit expansion clubs claims former AFLW coach

Former Western Bulldogs AFLW coach Nathan Burke says the league's continued vetoing of trades involving expansion is contributing to the current competitive imbalance in the competition.

www.abc.net.au

"We had numerous trades that we wanted to do, and the other team agreed to it. Both teams were happy with it, and the AFL were the final arbiter of any trades, and said, 'No, in our opinion, that other club is not benefiting enough, it's not going to help the league. So, you can't do that trade'.

"I can guarantee you that I lost players who were contacted by the AFL to say, 'Hey, we think it would be a good idea if you went to this club, this is an expansion club. We've got ambassador roles floating around and we can chuck you one of those if you're keen to go to this club.'"

The Western Bulldogs were one of eight foundation AFLW teams in 2017 and won the premiership the following season, but were subsequently raided by expansion clubs over the next four years.

 

[mpal6]

By the way, it's not just AFLW that is a great competition. VFLW is pretty awesome, too.

slow slow death

Darebin Falcons face financial pressure to stay in VFLW competition

Darebin nurtured AFLW stars Daisy Pearce and Darcy Vescio, but financial constraints could force the independent club out of the VFLW.

www.abc.net.au

The Falcons have been at the forefront of much of the growth and development of women's football in Victoria.

But if the club was to leave the VFLW it would not be the first time that one with a rich history in the game has had to bow out.

Just last month 143-year-old Victorian club Preston was booted out of the VFL after desperately trying to hang on amid significant debt.

'Angry and frustrated': VFLW player payments cut across women's programs

Players at Port Melbourne were told the women's budget was being cut for the 2025 season.

www.abc.net.au

The justification given to Port Melbourne players was two-fold: the women's team didn't have a major sponsor for this year, and the money for the program would be better spent creating a professional environment.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Oh no whatever will North do if other clubs can't figure out how to run proper women's footy programs?

Probably keep winning multiple premierships each year haha.

 

[Liam Boy]

League blocked trades that didn't benefit expansion clubs claims former AFLW coach

Former Western Bulldogs AFLW coach Nathan Burke says the league's continued vetoing of trades involving expansion is contributing to the current competitive imbalance in the competition.

www.abc.net.au

"North Melbourne were very, very tactical in their initial list build. So all of the praise has to go to them, with the way that they've done that and the way that they've maintained their culture."

Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

[mpal6]

Oh no whatever will North do if other clubs can't figure out how to run proper women's footy programs?

Probably keep winning multiple premierships each year haha.

haha, can't wait to see one more undefeated season and then you lot start wondering why sponsors are moving on from avoiding to put money on a one club show. $50M loss and counting

 

[mpal6]

"North Melbourne were very, very tactical in their initial list build. So all of the praise has to go to them, with the way that they've done that and the way that they've maintained their culture."

Couldn't have put it better myself.

I don't dispute your list build at all, my question is AFL standing by and watching you accumulate talent from other clubs list season after season while they actively blocked this earlier by clubs like Dogs from doing so. Birch, Sheerin and now Weston-Turner.

Feel free to make hay while the sun shines to be honest, but don't expect the rest of us to regale it.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Turns out neither permission nor praise from defeated clubs was required to go back-to-back in both AFLW and VFLW.

The delusional expectation being expressed here is the one which supposes rule changes are going to make a difference in a league where mediocre teams are turning away players of Eilish Sheerin's calibre for being "too intense".

---

In other news:

2025 AFL Financial Result

The AFL has forwarded its 2025 financial results to the Presidents and Chairs of the 18 clubs, ahead of next month’s Annual General Meeting

www.afl.com.au

The AFL reported an underlying operating surplus of $67.9 million in 2025, compared with an underlying operating surplus of $45.4 million in 2024

So in the two years of North Melbourne's undefeated streak, the not-for-profit AFL has made a $113 million profit.

 

[mpal6]

Turns out neither permission nor praise from defeated clubs was required to go back-to-back in both AFLW and VFLW.

The delusional expectation being expressed here is the one which supposes rule changes are going to make a difference in a league where mediocre teams are turning away players of Eilish Sheerin's calibre for being "too intense".

---

In other news:

2025 AFL Financial Result

The AFL has forwarded its 2025 financial results to the Presidents and Chairs of the 18 clubs, ahead of next month’s Annual General Meeting

www.afl.com.au

So in the two years of North Melbourne's undefeated streak, the not-for-profit AFL has made a $113 million profit.

Good to know AFL should've made a $163 million profit if not for the $50M loss from AFLW.

I wonder why they stopped publishing individual AFLW membership numbers per club as well. Couldn't find 2025 AFLW membership numbers per club anywhere - happy for someone to share a link. Looks like a concerted effort from a business owner to hide their messy items in fine print.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Bit of an exaggeration to say AFLW runs at a $25m yearly deficit, even before considering the longterm financial gains that come with broadening the sport's audience.

And as for the not-for-profit AFL's profits, any money not being spent now is just going to be spent later on a new AFLW venue in the heart of Melbourne!

 

[Saints2001]

Birch, Sheerin and now Weston-Turner.

Sydney could have gotten Sheerin, she is from NSW and wanted to go back but they turned her down for being too intense. Can't complain then if Kangaroos subsequently gave her an offer. Seems like she was happy to go wherever but no one else saw how great she would be.

Birch had already moved once before. KLWT as of right now is nothing more than a project taken on to see if she is able to make the grade. Nothing about her says world class - noting she went #1 in the last state based draft so she was most definitely not the top player for her age level.

I think other clubs need to step up and actually invest in the women's game more - frankly it's rubbish that the Roos have been allowed to build their list up after entering later in the comp in a way that hasn't been replicated by other teams if they worked better at talent identification or looking overseas. A few of their star players were either average elsewhere or perhaps showing promise but very few were actual top notch at the time of joining. Riddell went unpicked twice in the draft, Garner was promising at the Pies, etc. Kearney was great no qualms there.

I know my Saints are poor at this as well - #10 draft pick Kiera Whiley gave the game away after 1 season, we have given away a top draft pick for Amber Clarke 2 years ago, we haven't looked much at any Irish talent. Bogue was with the Roos for a whole season before getting a game. Same with Amy Gavin Mangan I wouldn't be surprised to see her play well this year.

 

[mpal6]

Sydney could have gotten Sheerin, she is from NSW and wanted to go back but they turned her down for being too intense. Can't complain then if Kangaroos subsequently gave her an offer. Seems like she was happy to go wherever but no one else saw how great she would be.

Birch had already moved once before. KLWT as of right now is nothing more than a project taken on to see if she is able to make the grade. Nothing about her says world class - noting she went #1 in the last state based draft so she was most definitely not the top player for her age level.

I think other clubs need to step up and actually invest in the women's game more - frankly it's rubbish that the Roos have been allowed to build their list up after entering later in the comp in a way that hasn't been replicated by other teams if they worked better at talent identification or looking overseas. A few of their star players were either average elsewhere or perhaps showing promise but very few were actual top notch at the time of joining. Riddell went unpicked twice in the draft, Garner was promising at the Pies, etc. Kearney was great no qualms there.

I know my Saints are poor at this as well - #10 draft pick Kiera Whiley gave the game away after 1 season, we have given away a top draft pick for Amber Clarke 2 years ago, we haven't looked much at any Irish talent. Bogue was with the Roos for a whole season before getting a game. Same with Amy Gavin Mangan I wouldn't be surprised to see her play well this year.

Birch to North trade request could've been blocked by AFLW if they were operating in the same conditions as what they did to Dogs earlier. It's quite clear the AFLW mgmt is happy for the list and talent imbalance to continue for whatever reason - if I was North supporter I'd say , "Long may it continue !". I won't be bleating about how this is all hard earned when AFLW systematically has given an upper hand to one club in particular. 2 undefeated seasons is a clear evidence for all to see.

Former No.1 pick in limbo as trade talks turn frosty

Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner may have to nominate for the draft if a deal can't be struck

www.afl.com.au

"North Melbourne has already traded out pick No.19 to Carlton and has told the Bulldogs that neither of its 2026 first-round picks – either its own or Carlton's – will be put forward for Weston-Turner."

Former Pick 1 KLWT landing at North with whatever pick they can offer is another moment where AFLW could've stepped in to "mediate" and "broker a deal" - they've done it many many times in mens trading period. Nope, happy to stand aside again.

North fans - like I said before - please feel free to ride the wave, but don't expect us to stand in line to regale it.

On another note - Saints draft game may be poor, but trade has been pretty good so far. Got couple of sunshine coast players to move down and play for you so clearly your recruiters are doing a good job there.

Saints welcome Wardlaw and Watson

The Saints have landed a pair of sunshine state stars for the upcoming AFLW season.

www.saints.com.au

 

[Teen Wolf]

The Bulldogs tried to trade pick 50 for a top 5 GWS player. GWS went along with it because they had their own draft zone at the time, so it didn't make any difference to them.

AFL intervened and said no, you still need to give up something approaching fair trade value (pick 28) to make it happen.

Ah ok so it was nothing like how Birch, Sheerin or Weston-Turner moved clubs:

Fair trades were made for Sheerin and Birch, hence little controversy.

If Weston-Turner wants to go to NM, we will probably see a repeat of the Rennie situation. NM will make a fair offer, WB will sabotage themselves by rejecting it for no good reason, she will then walk to the draft, and NM will just take her with the pick they would've given up in a trade.

 

[timokane]

Always wanted to know does anyone like go to the AFLW more then the AFLM.
Love to know like real hard core fans of the AFLW.
And they are all in when it comes to the AFLW.
Right into it 100 percent.
For me i go to the first 2 games then the last one.
Normally go to say 3.
Always go to the Carlton Collingwood one at Ikon.
Then the next 2 are Vic park ones.
Sometime if im lucky i get to work at say 1 or 2 as well at Ikon park mostly.

 

[AussieNick1999]

Always wanted to know does anyone like go to the AFLW more then the AFLM.
Love to know like real hard core fans of the AFLW.
And they are all in when it comes to the AFLW.
Right into it 100 percent.
For me i go to the first 2 games then the last one.
Normally go to say 3.
Always go to the Carlton Collingwood one at Ikon.
Then the next 2 are Vic park ones.
Sometime if im lucky i get to work at say 1 or 2 as well at Ikon park mostly.

I've gone to several AFLW games while I've only ever been to two AFLM games.

I went to Carlton vs North at the MCG last year and found it underwhelming, particularly because it was a mediocre game but also because I'm not a fan of big stadiums, the massive crowds, or being crammed into a tiny seat all game. I prefer the old school community feel of the suburban grounds that the AFLW uses and like being able to just pick where I want to watch the game from. Plus the crowds just feel friendlier at AFLW games.

 

[timokane]

Same as my thoughts.

Seams more boutique feel and freer and easy as well.

More intimate feeling at AFLW.

Feel of close to the players and action.

AFLM i feel its all too big and a business.

Fans feeling are better at the AFLW.

Also at the VFLW as well.

More friendly and better ambiance.

Always got a nice feel going to the AFLW and VFLW games

Players also seam to enjoy themselves more and are cool

 

[TigermanM2]

Always wanted to know does anyone like go to the AFLW more then the AFLM.
Love to know like real hard core fans of the AFLW.
And they are all in when it comes to the AFLW.
Right into it 100 percent.
For me i go to the first 2 games then the last one.
Normally go to say 3.
Always go to the Carlton Collingwood one at Ikon.
Then the next 2 are Vic park ones.
Sometime if im lucky i get to work at say 1 or 2 as well at Ikon park mostly.

I go to the AFLW just as much as the mens which really when you consider AFLW seasons run for almost half the time as the mens you could argue my attendance at AFLW is greater.

Totally different feel. More of a community vibe. Definitely less agro on our side of the fence. Closer to the action. It's a combination of things.

Some pretty hard and tough women out there which you don't necessarily pick up on TV.

 

[timokane]

Thats what i like about both VFLW and AFLW nice community feel.

Nicer players.

They seam to respect there opposition as well.

Happy feel weather lose win draw.

They hardly get upset as well.

Happy at been happy.

I think they play for the love of it.

Good exercise for the weekend before going back to work and/or study for the week.

Part of daily life for them as well.

Less intense as well.

Super laid back

i like it.

 

[EagleShore]

Serious question: why are there no trans women playing in this competition? Trans women are women after all, so is it just a case of the AFL being transphobic? Or is there another explanation?

 

[Cdog71]

Serious question: why are there no trans women playing in this competition? Trans women are women after all, so is it just a case of the AFL being transphobic? Or is there another explanation?

Unsure of the exact detail but think “gender at birth” has an impact on opportunities for professional/semi professional sports.

 

[cats_09]

Serious question: why are there no trans women playing in this competition? Trans women are women after all, so is it just a case of the AFL being transphobic? Or is there another explanation?

It may be as simple as none have been drafted

The AFL does have Gender Diversity Policy, and it does cover:

• Application by trans women and non-binary people to play in Elite Football Competitions (Women) and Elite Pathway Competitions (Women), and
• Eligibility of trans men and non-binary peoplento play in Elite Football Competitions (Men) and Elite Pathway Competitions (Men)

So there are provisions for if, but at this stage there's no known or confirmed instances of this path been taken

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2020/09/30/0c537f03-e073-4a38-a766-209717ceeee4/AM-7411-0920-AFL-Elite-Football-GDP-Policy_FA.pdf

 

[timokane]

keep trans away from the code is a must if you ever want any fairness.
keep them way from all sports.
they can push there agendas in the streets only never in sports.

 

[Tandy]

that West Turner going to the back to back premiers earns herself no respect nor will it ever probably. The ultimate coat tail rider.

 

[EagleShore]

keep trans away from the code is a must if you ever want any fairness.
keep them way from all sports.
they can push there agendas in the streets only never in sports.

Be careful, you'll get banned from this fascistic site for wrongthink like this.