Culture

8 More Clubs Have Launched Submissions To Join The AFLW

Only two AFL teams haven't applied.

by Tom Clift  17 June 2017

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Massive crowds. Tough-as-nails footy. Cults heroes emerging left and right. Despite every naysayer who said it wouldn’t work, this year’s inaugural AFL women’s competition was absolutely awesome. And now just about every other club wants in.

Friday was the deadline for teams to submit their pitches to join the women’s competition when it expands in 2019. Of the 10 sides that didn’t field a women’s outfit this year, eight have put forward a bid, with only Port Adelaide and Sydney deciding to delay. Port have said they are focused on expanding the game’s footprint in China, while the Swans want to wait until they feel they have adequate training and administrative facilities.

That means that if you’re an Essendon, Geelong, Gold Coast, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda or West Coast fan, you could see a women’s team running out in your side’s colours in less than two years.

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Between two and four new teams are expected to gain entrance into the expanded league, which means that competition for the spots is tight. Geelong, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast had applied to be part of the inaugural season, but were knocked back. They currently hold provisional licenses, and their submissions are expected to be given priority weighting.

A number of clubs have also taken steps to set up women’s football programs. Richmond have hired former Collingwood player Kate Sheehan as their women’s football operations manager and have launched a talent academy for female indigenous players; North Melbourne, who are aligned with Melbourne University’s VFLW side, will seek to establish a presence in Tasmania; while Essendon have launched their bid with the aid of 20-year-old Michaela Long, daughter of former club champion Michael Long, who could be the AFLW’s first father-daughter selection.

The AFL is expected to decide which new teams will be granted entry into the AFLW by the end of July.

Meanwhile, the AFL Players Association is expected to push for a wage increase for AFLW players – and about time too.

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Feature image via Essendon FC/Facebook.