How poor is the aflw standard?

[Scorpus]

People watch SANFL , VFL WAFL , NEAFL that's not AFL men's standard so yes we will watch lower standards it's just the women's league is really really low

If the standard is too low for you, don't watch it.

(Although if you ask me it was pretty obvious the standard wouldn't be AFL reserves level)

 

[Bradesmaen]

Are we having this thread every week now?

Every game.

 

[JVseven]

ATM I give a 4 and its hard to watch for football purists but it will improve over time

No doubt and I hope it does, and I admire how hard the players go in. Just at the moment the skills and standard is poor for a professional comp.

 

[underthestars]

yeh it is pretty terrible. but here we are. it's on tv, written about in false superlatives, pushing the equalisation agenda and propped up by those that believe in it. it'll either get better or wither away. if people are happy watching it for whatever reason then fine. give me netball anyday - now there's a game where the women show elite skill and unfortunately it is vastly under promoted.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Basically the same as any sport, the elite women are a shadow of the mens game.

Surely you realise that just because it's an 'elite' comp, it's in no way comparable to the men's game, right?

Maybe if they were getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, played a 23-week season, had substantial amounts of money being poured into junior development and youth leagues up until the point they're drafted, decades of advancements in the game, fitness and sports science that are now incorporated into and common place in professional AFL clubs, it would be a fair comparison.

What you're seeing now isn't representative of what a professional national women's competition could be, but it's a necessary starting point. I don't expect it to ever be the same as the men's game, but it could definitely be a quick, skillful, entertaining and unique competition in its own right if the appropriate developmental pathways are put in place and the competition continues to garner interest.

 

[marty36]

Every game.

It is off season

Will be interesting when the preseason comp starts how we will see the comparison first hand. No different from watching women's cricket and men's cricket back to back you certainly notice the standard difference in that also

 

[Garlic muncher]

Todays games are better than last week, next years games will be better etc etc etc.

Eventually you will get a standard that is reasonable i imagine.

Its a pretty tough game ATM, once you get cleaner skills the packs and scrappy play will come out of it quite a bit IMO.

I will watch it, but you have to factor in that men are just much more athletic in general than women.

 

[RUNVS]

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Elite athlete

I am guessing you did not see Tony Lockett or Jason Dunstall playing in the 80's and 90's.

 

[MWPP]

Most of the haters seem to be supporters of clubs without a women's team (whilst mine doesn't have one, I wish we did )

 

[marty36]

Todays games are better than last week, next years games will be better etc etc etc.

Eventually you will get a standard that is reasonable i imagine.

Its a pretty tough game ATM, once you get cleaner skills the packs and scrappy play will come out of it quite a bit IMO.

I will watch it, but you have to factor in that men are just much more athletic in general than women.

I don't think it's a dig at the standards we know why it isn't as good there isn't one sport where both sexes play that is on an equal footing. It's whether people choose to watch an inferior standard of football or not, those that will, probably watch out of loyality to their club on a lot of occasions as why would you want to watch something not as good as you are used to. I watch my SANFL team out of loyality but prefer watching AFL

 

[kaiserchief13]

It's got to start somewhere. See what the quality is like 20 years from now.

 

[Unique Name]

Did you watch the Freo v Carlton game last year??

Even the men's game that has been professional for decades has dud games. There were plenty of games last year that were beyond shit.

I thought this week was an improvement from last and I expect it will continue to improve every week and every year.

 

[Bombermania]

Today's two games have been quite good, they are not seasoned professional footballers, at least they are playing attaching footy and seem willing to have a crack at the ball and at one another so its been okay.

 

[Bombermania]

Did you watch the Freo v Carlton game last year??
Even the men's game that has been professional for decades has dud games. There were plenty of games last year that were beyond shit.
I thought this week was an improvement from last and I expect it will continue to improve every week and every year.

Or last year's first Essendon v Carlton game!

 

[BIRDBRAIN]

I've always thought sleeve tattoos should be banned from the AFL and the AFLW has only confirmed it for me.

 

[Rack Watts]

So was this league in its first year.

 

[marty36]

If the standard is too low for you, don't watch it.

(Although if you ask me it was pretty obvious the standard wouldn't be AFL reserves level)

I'm not Kill Bill is on

 

[BORK]

There are parts of it that exceed expectations. Other parts can be like a car crash that you cannot look away from which is actually part of the charm of the sport. I have been entertained by the poor moments as well as the good moments.

What is unfortunate is the shouting down of anyone that has anything negative to say in the match day threads and in other forums. What people do not seem to realise is that the people making comments about the standard that could be deemed negative are at least giving the sport a go which is more than those who have not bothered to watch and remained silent. Making people feel ashamed to express themselves is more likely to drive people away and damage the longer term prospects.

There is a clear soft bigotry of low expectations on show from many people who have commented on these games which is a turnoff for many.

 

[Jack Bradley]

Like watching Essendon vs Lions this year - but more exciting.

 

[Frank Gallagher]

I was wondering what level of men's team would be a good match up against the girls, I reckon around B grade reserves in the Northern league, the men at that level might struggle with the girls superior fitness levels.

 

[Tulip]

yeh it is pretty terrible. but here we are. it's on tv, written about in false superlatives, pushing the equalisation agenda and propped up by those that believe in it. it'll either get better or wither away. if people are happy watching it for whatever reason then fine. give me netball anyday - now there's a game where the women show elite skill and unfortunately it is vastly under promoted.

"Equalisation agenda".

 

[Kram]

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Elite athlete

And yet she can still kick better than a bloke you had on Port's list for about 7 years called John Butcher.

 

[Alfred_]

And yet she can still kick better than a bloke you had on Port's list for about 7 years called John Butcher.

She's no Jack Anthony though.

 

[Bombermania]

There are parts of it that exceed expectations. Other parts can be like a car crash that you cannot look away from which is actually part of the charm of the sport. I have been entertained by the poor moments as well as the good moments.

What is unfortunate is the shouting down of anyone that has anything negative to say in the match day threads and in other forums. What people do not seem to realise is that the people making comments about the standard that could be deemed negative are at least giving the sport a go which is more than those who have not bothered to watch and remained silent. Making people feel ashamed to express themselves is more likely to drive people away and damage the longer term prospects.

There is a clear soft bigotry of low expectations on show from many people who have commented on these games which is a turnoff for many.

I have no problem with people talking about where they need to improve and it is only by talking about it that they will improve, my issue is that some people are moaning about it not being to some standard such as under 16s or some other level.

Like you, I have found some of the skill errors bemusing and have found myself LOL at times but I think there is a different between identifying those moments than just writing it off.

 

[Dez!]

I'm enjoying it, don't think it's been anywhere near as bad as some people try to make it out to be.