Women's Footy 2021 AFLW Off-Season

[The Flying Belgian]

Do you think we could entice Sam Kerr to our girls....what a game tonight and embarrassing the POMS to boot

Somehow I don't think we pay as well as Chelsea.

 

[briztoon]

Somehow I don't think we pay as well as Chelsea.

Pretty sure she earns more than the whole team combined.

 

[dlanod]

Somehow I don't think we pay as well as Chelsea.

My first thought was that I didn't realise being a goal umpire paid that well...

 

[mpal6]

Do you think we could entice Sam Kerr to our girls....what a game tonight and embarrassing the POMS to boot

Got Lucinda Pullar with football background so hope she covers what Kerr could do

 

[Cubs2Lions]

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

AFLW expansion: AFL expected to lock in 18-team AFLW competiton for 2022-23 season
The AFL is tipped to lock in a full 18-team competition from the 2022-23 season.

The AFL is expected to finally embrace an 18-team AFLW competition for the 2022-23 season when it announces expansion plans at midday on Thursday.

The league has not yet informed those four teams - Essendon, Port Adelaide, Sydney and Hawthorn - that they will be in the competition next year.

But the Herald Sun understands the AFL will make the declaration that every team will have its own women’s side for a 2022-23 competition that will start at the end of next year.

The four teams put in detailed submissions which were assessed by the AFL Commission at its two-day meeting last week.

And while there will be significant concerns about the dilution of talent in coming seasons the reality is the league cannot continue holding out sides like Hawthorn, who have battled for years to gain entry to the AFLW.

If the league can fast-track an 18-team competition it will allow greater opportunities for women footballers across Australia to reach the elite level and eventually grow the talent pool.

This year’s competition will start in December with clubs already worrying about the state of the upcoming season. The official pre-season starts in coming weeks, with some clubs including GWS having a number of players who do not live in the state.

It means they will have to train remotely ahead of the December start, with a fixturing nightmare coming up given many players are part-time and work in other pursuits.

Players on an average of around $18,000-$20,000 will not be able to drop their university or work commitments to spend weeks on the road or submit to long quarantine commitments.

Many AFLW staff and coaches are also part time, with no plans yet for a full-blown vaccination program of the AFLW cohort which might ease concerns.

But by December a more thorough vaccination program of the Australian population might allow greater travel between states and crowds at more AFL venues.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said this year female participation numbers had increased 100 per cent since 20155.

The NAB AFLW Competition has built a new audience base for the code with some 4.5 million AFLW fans, 155,908 attendees, 6.1 million viewers and an incredible 20 per cent of supporters who are new or first-time AFL attendees,” he said.

“But we don’t feel that the competition is whole without all 18 clubs and we know from the clubs that they don’t feel whole now without an AFLW team. AFLW is not just a competition that makes our game better but a culture that makes our whole industry better.”

 

[Dalions]

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

AFLW expansion: AFL expected to lock in 18-team AFLW competiton for 2022-23 season
The AFL is tipped to lock in a full 18-team competition from the 2022-23 season.

The AFL is expected to finally embrace an 18-team AFLW competition for the 2022-23 season when it announces expansion plans at midday on Thursday.

The league has not yet informed those four teams - Essendon, Port Adelaide, Sydney and Hawthorn - that they will be in the competition next year.

But the Herald Sun understands the AFL will make the declaration that every team will have its own women’s side for a 2022-23 competition that will start at the end of next year.

The four teams put in detailed submissions which were assessed by the AFL Commission at its two-day meeting last week.

And while there will be significant concerns about the dilution of talent in coming seasons the reality is the league cannot continue holding out sides like Hawthorn, who have battled for years to gain entry to the AFLW.

If the league can fast-track an 18-team competition it will allow greater opportunities for women footballers across Australia to reach the elite level and eventually grow the talent pool.

This year’s competition will start in December with clubs already worrying about the state of the upcoming season. The official pre-season starts in coming weeks, with some clubs including GWS having a number of players who do not live in the state.

It means they will have to train remotely ahead of the December start, with a fixturing nightmare coming up given many players are part-time and work in other pursuits.

Players on an average of around $18,000-$20,000 will not be able to drop their university or work commitments to spend weeks on the road or submit to long quarantine commitments.

Many AFLW staff and coaches are also part time, with no plans yet for a full-blown vaccination program of the AFLW cohort which might ease concerns.

But by December a more thorough vaccination program of the Australian population might allow greater travel between states and crowds at more AFL venues.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said this year female participation numbers had increased 100 per cent since 20155.

The NAB AFLW Competition has built a new audience base for the code with some 4.5 million AFLW fans, 155,908 attendees, 6.1 million viewers and an incredible 20 per cent of supporters who are new or first-time AFL attendees,” he said.

“But we don’t feel that the competition is whole without all 18 clubs and we know from the clubs that they don’t feel whole now without an AFLW team. AFLW is not just a competition that makes our game better but a culture that makes our whole industry better.”

I’ve got an idea
How about they decide where this weekends AFL games are going to be held first?

 

[Cubs2Lions]

I’ve got an idea
How about they decide where this weekends AFL games are going to be held first?

Nah that's a bit more ambiguous for even the AFL to figure out

 

[briztoon]

 

[briztoon]

So Lions and Freo to contend for the title for about 3 seasons, while all the Vic, SA and NSW teams recover from expansion, and GC* and WC continue to build their lists.


*to be fair, GC could be properly competitive by then.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

 

[Cubs2Lions]

The Brisbane Lions have finalised their AFLW coaching staff for 2022 with the appointment of Daniel Webster and Damien Richards.

Neither coach is unfamiliar to the maroon, blue, and gold, with Webster and Richards both having coached in the Brisbane Lions Hyundai Academy.

Midfield coach Webster steps into the Lions’ engine room fresh from his 2021 VFL campaign with the Aspley Football Club where he was Head Coach. He will bring over a decade of NEAFL and State League coaching experience to the defending Premiers coaching lineup.

“Daniel is great addition to our team,” AFLW Head Coach, Craig Starcevich said.

“He’ll fit in beautifully when the players get an appreciation for his passion for coaching. “He’s an excellent communicator, builds relationships quickly and easily and is very much across the key technical aspects involved with elite level coaching.”

Richards joins the AFLW program with wealth of experience coaching women’s football, including back-to-back QAFLW flags with Coorparoo. His appointment as Development Coach sees the new recruit reunite with Starcevich who he worked alongside as an Assistant Coach on the Queensland Women’s State team in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

“Damo has always had a strong interest in the female talent program,” Starcevich said.

“I enjoyed working with him when he assisted in with the Queensland Women’s Academy in preparation for the AFLW and I’m looking forward to working with him again.

“He’s already familiar with many of our playing group through coaching them either in our Academy or at Club level with Coorparoo or UQ and I have no doubt he’ll slot right into the team.”

The pair are the final pieces of the puzzle in the Lions AFLW coaching lineup. Forwards coach Phil Lovett will return for another season, while Simon Black and Clark Keating

Clark Keating

Age

49

Ht

197cm

Wt

100kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.3

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

2.9

3star

HO

13.8

5star

No current season stats available

D

6.0

2star

K

3.2

2star

HB

2.8

3star

HO

4.2

5star

will continue with the defending Premiers as specialist craft coaches on a part-time basis.

Keating was previously Midfield Coach, but has taken a step back to focus on his business and family.

Retired Premiership Captain Emma Zielke has also joined the 2022 coaching lineup, taking on an assistant coaching role for her former squad.

The appointment makes Zielke the first woman to be an Assistant Coach at the Brisbane Lions.

 

[briztoon]

That’s a big loss for the Suns.

AFLW Latest News - AFL.com.au/aflw

Latest breaking AFLW news from the official website of the Australian Football League.

womens.afl

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Tough As Nails With A Heart Of Gold

Breanna Koenen will lead the Lions’ Premiership defence in 2022.

www.lions.com.au

Breanna Koenen will lead the Brisbane Lions’ Premiership defense in 2022, with the defender today announced as the Brisbane Lions AFLW Captain.

The 26-year-old from Magnetic Island steps into the role with plenty of experience, having served as Vice-Captain in 2021 under the guidance of retired Premiership Captain, Emma Zielke.

Breanna Koenen is the new AFLW Captain for the Brisbane Lions.
Speaking on the appointment, Koenen said that she’s looking forward to leading the Club’s into its sixth AFLW season.

“It’s such a huge honour to be voted in as Captain by my teammates,” Koenen said.

“Zilks [Emma Zielke] has created an amazing legacy in her time as Captain, and I’ve learnt a lot about what good leadership looks like from her.

“I’m really excited to step up and lead this team as we take on the 2022 season.”

Lauren Arnell chats with Breanna Koenen about her life outside of footy.
The foundation Lion has built a reputation as one of the competition’s most miserly and hard-nosed lockdown defenders.

However, AFLW Head Coach Craig Starcevich says that it is her caring and selfless nature off-field that makes her the ideal candidate to take over from Zielke.

“Off the field, she’s always had great care for her teammates,” Starcevich said.

“But it’s her selflessness on the field and her understanding of playing her role for the sake of the team that has struck a chord with her teammates.

“Some of the roles she played last year against dangerous opposition has really resonated with her teammates, and it’s that combined with the great empathy she’s shown that has seen her land in this position.”

Koenen will head up an eight-person Leadership group alongside Vice Captain Emily Bates.

In addition to Koenen, Bates, Kate Lutkins and Shannon Campbell, the group will feature four new additions, including the Club’s first female Indigenous leadership group member in Ally Anderson.

Anderson, a proud Ghungalu women, who designed the Indigenous guernsey worn by the Lions in the Premiership winning 2021 Grand Final. The 27-year old is also one of seven remaining Lions from the Club’s inaugural 2017 season.

“Ally being an original Lion in her sixth year, for the majority of the first five year she didn’t actually nominate for the Leadership group,” Starcevich said.

“She’s been doing a fantastic job with the cultural education within the group, and she’s put her hand up to take some leadership responsibility in the group.”

While Sophie Conway, Nat Grider and Cathy Svarc will also be new faces in the Lions leadership group, with Conway and Grider the first female Academy players to join the leadership group in the Club’s history.

“For Soph and Nat, having been Academy graduates and to come through into the Leadership group is not just a fantastic nod to the Academy, but is also a nod to the standard that their teammates recognise them to be at.

“And then for Cathy to go from an uncontracted train-on player three years ago, to be elevated to the Leadership group within two seasons is quite incredible and such a reflection of her character.”

 

[Cubs2Lions]

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Well deserved to my favourite player.

 

[Dalions]

 

[briztoon]

Bulldogs AFLW team forced into isolation after one of them tests positive to covid.

This won’t be over for a long time yet, if teams are going to go in to isolation/quarantine every time a player tests positive.

Opening up and living with covid is only going to exacerbate things.

AFLW Latest News - AFL.com.au/aflw

Latest breaking AFLW news from the official website of the Australian Football League.

www.womens.afl

 

[MSB ROYS]

Great appointment for captain. Looking forward to he season starting, but it is going to be hot and raining this summer. Good luck to travelling teams.

 

[HereIam86]

Could be playing at Maroochydore or a return to Moreton bay sports complex.

AFLW Latest News - AFL.com.au/aflw

Latest breaking AFLW news from the official website of the Australian Football League.

www.womens.afl

REIGNING AFL Women's premier Brisbane appears certain to continue its nomadic lifestyle in 2022, with Maroochydore firming as a favourite to host Lions' home games.

Brisbane has played the past two seasons at Wilston Grange's Hickey Park – in the city's inner north – but is now looking for a new venue.

Burpengary's Moreton Bay Sports Complex, 40 minutes north of Brisbane, is also being considered.

After winning its first premiership in April, Brisbane sits comfortably among the most successful clubs in the AFLW's short history, but has never had a genuine home.


It has played host at Brendale's South Pine Sports Complex, Burpengary, Wilston Grange and most famously had to play the inaugural 2017 Grand Final against Adelaide at Metricon Stadium because of the Gabba's unavailability.

They managed to squeeze two games at the Gabba in 2021 – their first two ever - following cricket season, including a memorable preliminary final triumph over Collingwood.


But the Lions are almost certain to move again.

With the season start pushed back to January, after originally being brought forward to December, the Lions have had to consider their options.

Using local Brisbane grounds like Hickey Park cuts into that club's season.


One advantage of Maroochydore, a 90-minute drive north of Brisbane, is that it has four fields, ensuring the Lions get access to a quality venue while not disrupting the club's own schedule of training and playing.

The Sunshine Coast is part of Brisbane's Academy zone, and the Fishermans Rd venue contains in excess of 600 car parks for spectators.

Brisbane has played just 18 of its 41 matches at five different 'home' grounds.

This is the last season the premiers will be in limbo, with the Lions' $70 million training and administration base at Springfield, which includes Brighton Homes Arena, set for completion next September.

 

[MSB ROYS]

All home games at Maroochydore and finals at the Gabba not possible...

Reigning Premiers Bring AFLW To The Sunshine Coast

The Brisbane Lions will defend their AFLW Premiership title from a new home base in 2022.

www.lions.com.au

 

[Davemonkey]

All home games at Maroochydore and finals at the Gabba not possible...

Reigning Premiers Bring AFLW To The Sunshine Coast

The Brisbane Lions will defend their AFLW Premiership title from a new home base in 2022.

www.lions.com.au

Not thrilled but is what it is. May end up watching more on TV this year.

 

[MSB ROYS]

Not thrilled but is what it is. May end up watching more on TV this year.

I always hope for a full Gabba GF and am looking forward to Springfield being finished. Will try to get to a few games on the SC but TV is an option.

 

[Section 5]

Don't think i will be travelling from Brisbane for the home games and i live on the north side of town
Travel time about 1.5 hour each way for me on a very busy highway. During summer the time can be longer.
They mentioned a 10 game H&A season so i assume 5 home games

 

[Teen Wolf]

All home games at Maroochydore and finals at the Gabba not possible...

Impression I get is finals at the Gabba are possible*, but that'll probably only happen in the case of:

a) a semi and/or prelim that coincides with a men's home game (enabling a double-header, like last season), or
b) the grand final.

*for one more year, won't be the case in the future when the season starts in December or earlier

 

[MSB ROYS]

Impression I get is finals at the Gabba are possible*, but that'll probably only happen in the case of:

a) a semi and/or prelim that coincides with a men's home game (enabling a double-header, like last season), or
b) the grand final.

*for one more year, won't be the case in the future when the season starts in December or earlier

Thanks for clarifying.