AFL Women's explained

AFL Women's
Upcoming Season:2024 AFL Women's season
Pixels:175px
Sport:Australian rules football
Founded:15 September 2016
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Inaugural:2017
Teams:18
Country:Australia
Champion: (2nd premiership)
Most Champs: (3 premierships)
Headquarters:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Ceo:Nicole Livingstone
Tv:Seven Network
Fox Footy
Streaming:7plus (Australia)
Kayo Sports (Australia)
WatchAFL (Overseas)
Sponsor:NAB
Related Comps:AFL
AFLW Under 18 Championships
QAFL Women's
SANFL Women's
VFL Women's
WAFL Women's

AFL Women's (AFLW) is Australia's national professional Australian rules football league for female players. The first season of the league in February and March 2017 had eight teams; the league expanded to 10 teams in the 2019 season, 14 teams in 2020 and 18 teams in 2022. The league is run by the Australian Football League (AFL) and is contested by each of the clubs from that competition. The reigning premiers are Brisbane.

The AFLW is the second most attended women's football competition in Australia (behind A-League Women) and one of the most popular women's football competitions in the world. Its average attendance in 2019 of 6,262 a game made it the second-highest of any domestic women's football competition. Its record attendance of 53,034 for the 2019 AFL Women's Grand Final was until 2020 the highest match attendance for women's sport in Australia.

The AFLW has attracted an audience of more than 1 million attendees[1] and 2 million viewers[2] and has managed to maintain high interest despite moving to primarily ticketed and subscription broadcasting models from the 2021 season. It consistently ranks in the top three (alongside cricket and netball) most watched women's sporting competitions in Australia.[3] The league receives international interest, particularly in Ireland where it has begun to attract a significant television audience due to the ongoing recruitment of Irish stars.[4] However, it was reported in mid 2023 that data reveal a significant drop in attendances for the seventh season of the women's league compared to the first season.[5]

History

Establishment

In 2010, the AFL commissioned in report into the state of women's football around the country.[6] Along with findings concerning grassroots and junior football, the report recommended the AFL Commission begin working toward the establishment of a national women's league. While the option of new stand-alone clubs was considered, a model using the resources and branding of existing AFL clubs was to be the preferred model for the planned league.[7]

The first on-field step towards the competition took place in 2013, when the AFL announced an exhibition match to be played between women's teams representing and in June that year. The historic match had a crowd of 7,518 and was won by Melbourne by 35 points.[8]

On 15 May 2013, the first women's draft was held, establishing the playing lists for the two clubs in the forthcoming exhibition match.[9] The match played on 29 June 2013 marked the first time two women's sides had competed under the banners of AFL clubs. The exhibition series was repeated with one game between the clubs in 2014 and two in 2015, the last of which, played on 16 August 2015, was the first women's AFL game to be broadcast on free-to-air television. It attracted an average audience of 175,000, which outweighed the 114,000 average audience for the AFL men's clash between Adelaide and Essendon of the previous day.[10]

The success of these exhibition matches prompted the AFL to accelerate its plans for a nationwide women's competition, announcing a preferred start date of 2017.[11] Prior to this, the league had announced only aspirational plans to have the women's competition established by 2020.[12] The already-planned 2016 exhibition series was expanded at this time, with a total of ten matches to be played in venues across the country and featuring a range of new temporary representative teams.[13]

In 2016, the AFL opened a process for existing clubs to tender applications to join the new competition. The 18 clubs in the men's AFL had until 29 April 2016 to place a bid for a licence, with 13 clubs making bids: Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda, West Coast, and Western Bulldogs.[14] The AFL's preferred distribution of clubs was four clubs from Victoria and one each from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.[15]

The inaugural teams were announced on 8 June 2016. As the only teams to bid in their respective states,,, and were granted licences to compete in 2017.[16] Both Western Australian clubs made bids, with 's bid chosen ahead of 's. Eight Victorian clubs made bids:,, and were successful, with,, and unsuccessful. All five unsuccessful bidders were granted provisional licences.[17]

Details about the branding of the league were released in the second half of 2016. The AFL announced that the league would be named "AFL Women's" or AFLW for short, on 15 September 2016, with the logo being unveiled on 19 September 2016.[18] [19] The logo is a stylised rendition of an Australian rules football ground goal square and goal posts, drawn from a perspective that shows a "W".[19] On 10 October 2016, the National Australia Bank was named as the league's naming rights sponsor.[20]

The first premiership game was played on Friday, 3 February 2017[21] at Ikon Park. The AFL had initially planned to host the game at Melbourne's Olympic Park Oval, with a capacity of just 7,000, but was forced to change the venue to Ikon Park due to overwhelming interest and a lack of adequate seating.[22] The match was deemed a "lockout" with a capacity crowd of 24,568 in attendance, with a few thousand estimated to have been waiting outside.[23] As a result, Gillon McLachlan, the AFL's CEO, personally apologised to those who missed out. The game was also a great success on TV, attracting a national audience of 896,000, including 593,000 metropolitan free-to-air viewers, 180,000 regional free-to-air viewers, and 123,000 on Fox Footy.[24] The Melbourne metropolitan audience of 424,000 was on par with that of Friday-night AFL men's matches.[24]

The inaugural season concluded with the Grand Final held on Saturday, 25 March 2017. The Crows were crowned the league's first premiers after defeating minor premiers, the Brisbane Lions. The scoreline read Adelaide 4.11 (35) def. Brisbane 4.5 (29).[25]

Expansion (2019–present)

Expansion of the competition occurred in two installments, with two clubs added in 2019 and four in 2020, to result in 14 teams in total. The 10 AFL clubs not originally participating in the competition were invited to bid for inclusion, with priority given to the five clubs that unsuccessfully bid to participate in the inaugural season.[26] The deadline to lodge submissions was 16 June 2017. The only clubs not to bid were and .[27] worked with AFL Tasmania to craft its bid, with the club aiming to play home matches in Melbourne, Hobart, and Launceston, and also select half of its playing list from Tasmania.[28] [29] A final decision on which clubs are admitted to the competition was expected by the end of July 2017, but was delayed several times to September 2017.[30] [31]

On 27 September 2017, the AFL announced that and North Melbourne had been selected to enter the competition in 2019.[32] North Melbourne retained its commitment to playing matches in Tasmania.[33] The league then expanded an additional four teams in 2020, with the AFL selecting,, and to join the competition.[32] [33] The growth in clubs was accompanied by the introduction of American-style conferences for the 2019 season, further details of which can be found in the season structure section of this article. The conferences were abandoned in favour of the traditional single ladder ahead of the 2021 season.[34] The 2020 season was curtailed and eventually cancelled without a premiership awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[35]

On 12 August 2021, the other four clubs without an AFLW license,,, Port Adelaide, and Sydney, were granted entry into the competition to commence in AFL Women's season seven.[36]

Clubs

The competition's 18 teams are based across five states of Australia. Ten are based in Victoria (nine in the Melbourne metropolitan area), and New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have two teams each, while a team from Tasmania will enter the AFLW at a date to be confirmed. The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory are the only states or territories not to have AFLW teams.

Current clubs

ClubColoursMonikerStateSeasonsPremierships
Firstdata-sort-type=number Totaldata-sort-type=number TotalMost recent
style=text-align:left align=left Crows align=left align=left — 2016 2017+ 8 3 2022 (S6)
style=text-align:left align=left Lions align=left align=left 2016 2016 2017+ 8 2 2023
style=text-align:left align=left Blues align=left align=left — 2016 2017+ 8 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Magpies align=left align=left — 2016 2017+ 8 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Bombers align=left align=left — 2022 2 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Dockers align=left align=left 2016 2016 2017+ 8 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Cats align=left align=left — 2018 6 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Suns align=left align=left 2016 2019 5 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Giants align=left align=left Various 2016 2016 2017+ 8 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Hawks align=left align=left — 2022 2 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Demons align=left align=left 2013 2013* 2017+ 8 1 2022 (S7)
style=text-align:left align=left Kangaroos align=left Victoria & Tasmania^ align=left — 2018 6 0 —
style=text-align:left Power align=left align=left — 2022 2 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Tigers align=left align=left — 2019 5 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Saints align=left align=left — 2019 5 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Swans align=left align=left 2016 2022 2 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Eagles align=left align=left 2016 2019 5 0 —
style=text-align:left align=left Bulldogs align=left align=left 2013 2013* 2017+ 8 1 2018
^ denotes that the club has a formalised partnership with this state or territory
* denotes that the club had a foundation women's team
+ denotes that the club was a founding member of the AFLW|}

Notes

Future clubs

Venues

Below are the venues that will host matches during the 2023 season.[37]

Venuedata-sort-type=number MatchesLocationdata-sort-type=number CapacityHost club(s)
align=center 5 align=center 11,000 (5)
align=center 3 align=center 4,000 (3)
align=center 1 align=center 19,500 (1)
align=center 2 align=center 10,000 (2)
align=center 4 align=center 22,500 (4)
align=center 3 align=center 9,000 (3)
align=center 1 align=center 15,000 (1)
align=center 1 align=center 11,000 (1)
align=center 4 align=center 5,000 (4)
align=center 5 align=center 10,000 (5)
align=center 1 align=center 10,000 (1)
align=center 4 align=center 30,000 (1), (3)
align=center 5 align=center 23,000 (5)
align=center 5 align=center 6,500 (5)
align=center 2 align=center 16,000 (2)
align=center 5 align=center 8,000 (5)
align=center 2 align=center 10,000 (2)
align=center 3 align=center 10,000 (3)
align=center 1 align=center 3,500 (1)
align=center 12 align=center 12,000 (5), (2), (5)
Reid Oval align=center 2 align=center 5,000 (1)
align=center 5 align=center 8,000 (5)
align=center 2 align=center 10,000 (2)
align=center 4 align=center 10,000 (4)
align=center 4 align=center 10,000 (4)
align=center 4 align=center 10,000 (4)
align=center 1 align=center 19,000 (1)

Players

See also: List of current AFL Women's team squads. The club's playing lists were constructed from scratch through the later stages of 2016. All participants in the 2017 season were required to be over the age of 17.

Initially, clubs were asked to nominate a list of desired players, with the AFL assigning two of these "marquee" players to each club. In addition, clubs were able to sign a number of players with existing connections to the club, or with arrangements for club-sponsored work or study.[38] [39] [40] This number varied for each club, in an attempt to equitably spread talent across the teams. In addition, clubs were required to recruit two "rookies" – people with no Australian rules football experience in the previous three-year period.The majority of players were later recruited through the 2016 AFL Women's draft.[41] The remaining list spots were filled with free-agent signings in the week following the draft. In total, clubs have 27 active listed players in addition to injury replacements signed to take the spot of long-term injury-affected players.

Salary

Player salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement with each club's total payments being determined by a salary cap.

Players are split into four tiers as follows:

Tier[42] [43] 20172018201920202021202220232024
1$29,856$32,077$37,155$71,935
2$23,059$24,775$28,697$55,559
3$19,661$21,124$24,468$47,372
4$16,623$17,473$20,239$39,184
Total Player Payments (TPP) (per club)[44] $474,800$576,240$619,109$717,122
Total Player Payments (TPP) (league)[45] $2,300,000$2,752,000$4,748,000$8,121,000$8,722,000$25,000,000[46] $32,300,000

Rules

The rules are mostly the same as those used in the AFL, with a few exceptions:

  • The use of a slightly smaller ball, in line with other women's competitions.
  • Quarters last 17 minutes (15 prior to 2023) instead of 20, with time-on only in the last two minutes.
  • Teams have 16 players on the field at a time instead of 18, and have five interchange players and 60 player rotations (unlimited prior to 2023) instead of four interchange players with one substitute and 75 total rotations.[47]
  • Throw-ins are executed 10 metres in from the boundary line, except within the 50-metre arcs, instead of on the boundary line.
  • A "last touch" out-of-bounds rule applies, except within the 50-metre arcs: during 2018, this "last touch" rule applied everywhere.[48]

Season structure

Pre-season

Prior to the commencement of the home-and-away season teams are paired off to play an exhibition trial match. In 2017, these matches took place during varying weeks of January.

Premiership season and finals

For the first two seasons of competition, the home-and-away season was operated on a single table, and seven matches were played by each of the eight teams. The two highest-placed teams at the conclusion of the home-and-away season qualified for the Grand Final match, in the absence of a longer finals series.

With the addition of two extra teams in 2019, the AFL Women's home-and-away season introduced conferences, a concept not common in Australian sports.[49] [50] The top-two teams from the respective conferences qualified to the preliminary finals, with the first-ranked team in Conference A meeting the second-ranked team in Conference B and the opposite employed for the other preliminary final. The winners of those matches then met in the Grand Final.

The use of conferences was retained in 2020, along with the inclusion of four additional teams. The 14 teams were split into two conferences of seven, with teams playing each other team in their conference once. The top-four teams in each conference qualified for the finals series. The first round of the finals consisted of four knockout finals, with teams from opposite conferences playing against each other, first in Conference A versus fourth in Conference B, and so on. This left a final four of North Melbourne, Fremantle, Carlton, and Melbourne, with two rounds of finals to be played. At this point, the season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no 2020 premier.

In 2021, the league reverted to a single 14-team ladder. Each team played 9 matches, with the top six qualifying for a three-week finals series. All finals are knockouts, with the top-two teams having a bye in the first round of the finals. Since 2022 (S7) the competition has been contested by 18 teams, and the finals series has expanded to eight teams and is played under the AFL final eight system that has been in use in the men's competition since the 2000 season.

On 21 August 2023, incoming AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon announced that the AFLW will receive equal prize money to the AFL. The prize money for AFLW players will almost double, going from $623,922 to $1.1 million to split between the top 8 teams.[51]

Themed rounds

In 2018, the Western Bulldogs and Carlton women's teams held the first Pride game, to celebrate gender diversity, promote inclusion for LGBTIQA+ players, and to help stamp out homophobia. St Kilda and Melbourne held a Pride Match in 2020, and the first full AFLW Pride Round was held in 2021.[52] [53]

An Indigenous Round was established in 2021. This round acknowledges the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls to Australian football and the broader community.[54] [55] Each team wears a guernsey especially designed to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and the Dreamtime match is played between and .[56] An AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree is announced for each season.[57]

Awards

These major individual awards and accolades are presented each season:[58]

  • Best and Fairest Trophy – to the fairest and best player in the league, voted by the umpires
  • Leading Goalkicker Award – to the player who kicks the most goals during the home-and-away season
  • All-Australian Team – a squad of 21 players deemed the best in their positions, voted by an AFL-appointed committee
  • Rising Star Award – to the fairest and best young player under the age of 21 as at the start of the calendar year, voted by the AFL-appointed All-Australian committee
  • Grand Final Best on Ground Award – the best player on the ground in the Grand Final, voted by a committee of media members

Audience

Attendance

The league peaked at an average attendance of 6,828 in its inaugural season and a record 53,034 attended the 2019 Grand Final. Prior to 2022 admission was free. In 2022 the AFLW introduced reserved ticketing with $10 admission per match which was later increased. In mid 2023 that data reveal a significant drop in average attendances for the seventh season of the women's league compared to the first season.[59] However when taking into account the larger number of games played the total attendance is still growing, just spread over three times as many matches. The league's choice of venues has been criticised as a factor, with many of the AFL's premium venues particularly in Victoria where the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Docklands Stadium are not used for blockbuster matches. The league has been cited as preferring the atmosphere of more full smaller venues than empty larger venues particularly for its television broadcasting.

The following are the most recent season attendances (record figure is bolded):

Year Matches Played H&A Total Average Highest H&A Grand final
99 284,122 2,870 8,722 12,616
99 265,950 2,686 20,652 7,412
75 144,271 1,924 5,533 16,712
68 155,908 2,293 9,552 22,934
46 205,050 4,458 35,185 0[60]
38 251,792 6,626 18,429 53,034
38 174,012 6,000 41,975 7,083
29 198,020 6,828 24,568 9,400

Television

In its inaugural 2017 season, all matches were televised live by affiliate partners the Seven Network and Fox Footy.[61] As part of the initial broadcast deal, the free-to-air carrier Seven broadcast one Saturday-night game per week as standard, in addition to the league's opening match and Grand Final. Pay TV network Fox Footy televised all premiership season matches, including simulcasts of the Seven-hosted matches other than the Grand Final.[62] The two television networks covered the costs of broadcasting these matches, with no licensing fee payable to the league in exchange.[63] Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW debuted on Disney+ in 2022, the docu-series followed several AFLW clubs through the course of the 2022 season.[64] In July 2023 The Age reported that AFLW viewer numbers were down 70% from the debut season, blaming a combination of scheduling, poor quality venues and broadcast quality, and "football fatigue".[65]

The AFLW has attracted an audience of more than 1 million attendees[66] and 2 million viewers[67] and has managed to maintain high interest despite moving to primarily ticketed and subscription broadcasting models from the 2021 season. It consistently ranks in the top three (alongside cricket and netball) most watched women's sporting competitions in Australia.[68] The league receives international interest, particularly in Ireland where it has begun to attract a significant television audience due to the ongoing recruitment of Irish stars.[69]

Online

The official internet/mobile broadcast partner of the AFL is BigPond, part of Telstra. The company hosts the league website and those of each of the eight participation clubs. The AFL has retained digital broadcast rights to matches in the league's inaugural season and will stream all matches live and free on the league website and mobile app. Since 2021 Kayo Sports has streamed all AFLW matches live and on demand in Australia.[70] Outside Australia, the inaugural season is available on Watch AFL.[71]

Corporate relations

Sponsorships

The National Australia Bank is the league's inaugural and (as of 2022) current naming-rights partner.[72] All playing and training equipment, as well as all licensed apparel and hats for the league's clubs, are manufactured by Cotton On.[73] Other 2017 league sponsors included Wolf Blass, Chemist Warehouse, and Kellogg's.[74] [75] [76] The official ball supplier is Sherrin.[77]

Merchandising

Official match-day attire, together with other club merchandise, is sold through the AFL's stores and website, as well through the clubs and some retailers.

Women's exhibition games (2013–2016)

Prior to the creation of the league, the AFL ran four years of exhibition matches between sides representing and . In 2016, the series was expanded to multiple teams from around the country.




Premiers and awards

Premiers

!Club!Seasons in
competition!Premierships!Runners up!Premiership
seasons!Runner-up
seasons
Adelaide2017–present312017, 2019, 2022 (S6)2021
Brisbane2017–present232021, 20232017, 2018, 2022 (S7)
Western Bulldogs2017–present102018
Melbourne2017–present112022 (S7)2022 (S6)
Carlton2017–present012019
North Melbourne2019–present012023
Collingwood2017–present00
Fremantle2017–present00
Greater WesternSydney2017–present00
Geelong2019–present00
Richmond2020–present00
St Kilda2020–present00
Gold Coast2020–present00
West Coast2020–present00
Essendon2022 (S7)–present00
Hawthorn2022 (S7)–present00
Port Adelaide2022 (S7)–present00
Sydney Swans2022 (S7)–present00

AFLW best and fairest

The best and fairest award determined in the same way as the Brownlow Medal for men, with umpires awarding three, two, and one votes to the best three players in each game, and suspended players are ineligible.

!Season!Player!Club
2017Erin PhillipsAdelaide
2018Emma KearneyWestern Bulldogs
2019Erin Phillips[78] Adelaide
2020Madison Prespakis[79] Carlton
2021Brianna DaveyCollingwood
Kiara Bowers[80] Fremantle
2022 (S6)Emily BatesBrisbane
2022 (S7)Ally Anderson[81] Brisbane
2023Monique Conti[82] Richmond

AFL Players' Association Most Valuable Player

The MVP award is voted on by the players' peers, in a similar method to the Leigh Matthews Trophy for men.

!Season!Player!Club
2017Erin PhillipsAdelaide
2018Courtney GumGWS Giants
2019Erin PhillipsAdelaide
2020Jasmine GarnerNorth Melbourne
2021Brianna DaveyCollingwood
2022 (S6)Emily BatesBrisbane
2022 (S7)Monique ContiRichmond
2023Jasmine GarnerNorth Melbourne

AFL Coaches' Association Champion Player

Each week, the senior coach of each club gives five votes to the player they consider to be best on ground in the game in which their team plays, four to the second-best, and so on to one for the fifth-best.

!Season!Player!Club
2017Not awarded
2018Chelsea RandallAdelaide
Emma KearneyWestern Bulldogs
2019Erin PhillipsAdelaide
2020Jasmine GarnerNorth Melbourne
2021Kiara BowersFremantle
2022 (S6)Emily BatesBrisbane
2022 (S7)Jasmine GarnerNorth Melbourne
2023Jasmine GarnerNorth Melbourne

Leading goalkicker

!Season!Player!Club!Goals
2017Darcy VescioCarlton14
2018Brooke LochlandWestern Bulldogs12
2019Stevie-Lee ThompsonAdelaide13
2020Caitlin GreiserSt Kilda10
2021Darcy Vescio (2)Carlton16
2022 (S6)Ashleigh WoodlandAdelaide19
2022 (S7)Jesse WardlawBrisbane22
2023Kate HoreMelbourne20
Eden ZankerMelbourne

See also

External links

]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jan 11, 2022 . AFLW passes the million mark as crowds keep growing . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609083943/https://www.womens.afl/news/79647/aflw-passes-the-million-mark-as-crowds-keep-growing . Jun 9, 2023 . AFLW.
  2. "Over 2.6 million Australians watch AFLW on TV", from Roy Morgan, 29 March 2021, Finding No. 8674.
  3. Web site: 2022-03-06 . Fox Sports research shows women's sport gaining popularity in Australia . Mediaweek . en-AU . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308121911/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/fox-sports-research-shows-womens-sport-gaining-popularity-in-australia/ . Mar 8, 2022 .
  4. Web site: The Cora effect: What's behind the explosion of Irish AFLW interest . AFLW . Gemma . Bastiani . 4 May 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230510101432/https://www.womens.afl/news/119578/the-cora-effect-what-s-behind-the-explosion-of-irish-aflw-interest- . May 10, 2023 .
  5. News: AFLW attendance and ratings numbers don't tell full story. 6 July 2023. ABC Radio Melbourne . 21 October 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230730191101/https://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/programs/mornings/aflw-attendance-and-ratings-numbers-dont-tell-full-story/102575086 . Jul 30, 2023 .
  6. News: Review could lead to AFL women's league. 6 October 2016. The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. 22 March 2010 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170910131217/https://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-sport/review-could-lead-to-afl-womens-league-20100322-qocn.html . Sep 10, 2017 .
  7. News: Herald Sun. Melbourne, VIC. Sam Newman weighs into debate on female footy. Cheryl Critchley. Michael Warner. 22 March 2010. 18 June 2016. live . https://archive.today/20240509230358/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/girls-set-for-afl-teams-in-national-competition-plan/news-story/4a39c3aba85950b0524b672203dd7ea0 . 9 May 2024 .
  8. News: Daisy 'ready to go again' . Jun 29, 2013 . Kate . O'Halloran . afl.com.au. 19 October 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181019121848/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-29/daisy-ready-to-go-again . 19 October 2018 .
  9. News: Pearce the first pick in AFL's inaugural women's draft. Twomey. Callum. 16 May 2013. AFL.com.au. Bigpond. 6 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112214633/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-05-16/daisy-plucked-first. 12 January 2018. dead.
  10. Web site: More watched women's footy on TV than Bombers' demise. Ward. Roy. 17 August 2015. The Age. en. 19 October 2018.
  11. News: Gorr. Libbi. Goswell. Gus. AFL promises 2017 women's competition as eager starters call for more details. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 February 2016.
  12. Web site: Women kicking on in all fields. O'Halloran. Kate. 29 June 2013. The Age. en. 19 October 2018.
  13. News: Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 February 2016. 18 June 2016. AFL announces 10-match national women's exhibition series to be played in 2016.
  14. News: AFL women's teams announced – AFL.com.au. afl.com.au. 19 October 2018.
  15. Web site: Matthews. Bruce. Decision time as 13 clubs want women's team. Australian Football League. 29 April 2016.
  16. http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-30/afl-womens-league-has-big-clubs-scrambling-for-a-team/7457120 Women's league bidding heating up, with teams scrambling for licenses
  17. Web site: Matthews. Bruce. Eight teams named for inaugural women's league. Australian Football League. 15 June 2016. 15 June 2016.
  18. Web site: AFL announces name for inaugural women's competition. Australian Football League. 2 October 2016. 15 September 2016.
  19. Web site: Logo revealed for new AFL Women's competition. Australian Football League. 2 October 2016. 19 September 2016.
  20. Web site: Gaskin. Lee. NAB signs on as AFL Women's League naming-rights sponsor. Australian Football League. 10 October 2016. 10 October 2016.
  21. Web site: First Friday in February. AFLW audio collection. 15 November 2018. en.
  22. News: Pies-Blues AFLW opener moved to Ikon Park – AFL.com.au. afl.com.au. 19 October 2018.
  23. News: Maiden AFL Women's match thrills packed house in Melbourne. 3 February 2017. ABC News. 19 October 2018. en-AU.
  24. News: TV ratings bonanza for AFLW opener – AFL.com.au. afl.com.au. 19 October 2018.
  25. News: AFLW grand final: Adelaide Crows beat Brisbane Lions – as it happened. O'Halloran. Kate. 25 March 2017. The Guardian. 19 October 2018. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  26. Web site: Phelan. Jennifer. AFL Women's set for expansion in 2019. Australian Football League. 9 May 2017.
  27. Web site: Eight clubs submit bids for AFLW in 2019. afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 16 June 2017.
  28. Web site: McGowan. Marc. Roos and Tasmania combine for AFLW bid. afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 16 June 2017.
  29. Web site: North's AFLW proposal. nmfc.com.au. North Melbourne Football Club. 16 June 2017.
  30. Web site: Can you believe it? Less than 48 hours until AFLW makes its next little piece of history! Get set for new teams in 2019!!!. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BYS_YNkgjXE . 26 December 2021 . registration. Instagram. Australian Football League. 28 August 2017.
  31. Web site: Schmook. Nathan. Decision on AFLW expansion delayed. Australian Football League. 29 August 2017.
  32. Web site: North and Geelong win AFLW expansion race. Australian Football League. 27 September 2017.
  33. Web site: AFLW: Tasmania-North Melbourne and Geelong win licenses to field teams in 2019. ABC News. 27 September 2017.
  34. Web site: AFLW 2021 season: Conferences out, $10 tickets, start date revealed. womens.afl. 10 December 2020.
  35. News: Canil. Jourdan. No premiership in 2020: AFLW season ends immediately. womens.afl. 22 March 2020. 12 August 2021.
  36. News: Black. Sarah. 'Changing forever and for the better': Final four clubs complete AFLW. womens.afl. 12 August 2021. 12 August 2021.
  37. News: Black. Sarah. AFLW fixture: Match-ups revealed, GF venues locked in. womens.afl. 17 July 2023. 17 July 2023.
  38. Web site: Women to kick-off 2017 with two-month season. 21 March 2016. 18 June 2016. Bruce Matthews.
  39. News: Herald Sun. Melbourne, VIC. AFL National Women's League: Marquee system aims to spread the talent across eight licensed clubs. 18 June 2016. 15 June 2016. Grant Baker. Eliza Sewell.
  40. Web site: Matthews. Bruce. Meg Hutchins joins Pies under new women's priority pick rules. Australian Football League. 10 September 2016. 20 August 2016.
  41. Web site: Women's draft nominations open. Melbourne Football Club. 6 September 2016. 5 September 2016.
  42. Web site: Landslide yes vote ensures 2020 AFLW season will go ahead. AFL Women's. 28 October 2019.
  43. https://aflnz.co.nz/news/locked-in-aflw-set-for-august-start/ LOCKED IN: AFLW set for August start
  44. https://thewomensgame.com/news/how-much-do-aflw-players-get-paid-533116 How much do AFLW players get paid?
  45. https://thewomensgame.com/news/how-much-do-aflw-players-get-paid-533116 How much do AFLW players get paid?
  46. Two seasons were run in 2022, Season Six salary cap was $10,200,000)
  47. https://womens.afl/discover/aflw/the-game New Rules for 2019
  48. https://womens.afl/news/16123/aflw-insight-new-season-new-rules AFLW Insight: New season, new rules
  49. Web site: AFLW introduces US-style conferences but teams still won't play every other team. 7 September 2018. ABC News.
  50. Web site: AFLW 2019: How the conference system works. AFL.com.au. 7 September 2018.
  51. Web site: 2023-08-21 . Equal prizemoney for AFL and AFLW competitions . 2023-08-22 . afl.com.au . en.
  52. Web site: History of AFLW Pride . Western Bulldogs . 18 January 2022 . 8 March 2024.
  53. Web site: AFL welcomes first AFLW Pride Round . AFL NSW / ACT . 4 February 2021 . 8 March 2024.
  54. Web site: NAB AFLW Season Seven Indigenous Round launched and AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree named . afl.com.au/aflw . 5 September 2022 . 9 March 2024.
  55. Web site: Every club's 2023 Indigenous Round guernsey . afl.com.au/aflw . 13 October 2023 . 9 March 2024.
  56. Web site: Vivian . Steve . AFL in discussions to move AFLW Dreamtime game from Melbourne to Darwin . ABC News . 1 February 2024 . 9 March 2024.
  57. Web site: 2023 AFLW Indigenous Round honouree named . afl.com.au/aflw . 10 October 2023 . 9 March 2024.
  58. News: Guthrie. Ben. AFLW awards revealed ... but titles on hold. 2 February 2017. AFL Media. Bigpond. 1 February 2017.
  59. News: AFLW attendance and ratings numbers don't tell full story. 6 July 2023. ABC Radio Melbourne . 21 October 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230730191101/https://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/programs/mornings/aflw-attendance-and-ratings-numbers-dont-tell-full-story/102575086 . Jul 30, 2023 .
  60. No premiership awarded due to COVID-19 lockdown
  61. News: Australian Associated Press. Every AFL Women's game to be televised as 2017 fixtures are released. 11 December 2016. The Guardian. 9 December 2016.
  62. News: Wright. Patrick. AFL women's competition: Fixture released, all games to be broadcast on TV. 11 December 2016. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 December 2016.
  63. News: Schmook. Nathan. First AFLW Grand Final to be held during round one. 11 December 2016. AFL.com.au. Bigpond. 8 December 2016.
  64. Web site: New Disney+ series Fearless gives viewers an inside look at the lives of AFLW players . Jason . Davis . Sunrise . 27 August 2022 . 13 July 2023.
  65. News: Vinall . Marnie . 'The broadcast was almost unwatchable': The insiders' view on why Australia switched off AFLW . 13 July 2023 . The Age . 10 July 2023 . en.
  66. Web site: Jan 11, 2022 . AFLW passes the million mark as crowds keep growing . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609083943/https://www.womens.afl/news/79647/aflw-passes-the-million-mark-as-crowds-keep-growing . Jun 9, 2023 . AFLW.
  67. "Over 2.6 million Australians watch AFLW on TV", from Roy Morgan, 29 March 2021, Finding No. 8674.
  68. Web site: 2022-03-06 . Fox Sports research shows women's sport gaining popularity in Australia . Mediaweek . en-AU . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308121911/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/fox-sports-research-shows-womens-sport-gaining-popularity-in-australia/ . Mar 8, 2022 .
  69. Web site: The Cora effect: What's behind the explosion of Irish AFLW interest . AFLW . Gemma . Bastiani . 4 May 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230510101432/https://www.womens.afl/news/119578/the-cora-effect-what-s-behind-the-explosion-of-irish-aflw-interest- . May 10, 2023 .
  70. https://kayosports.com.au/sports/sport!afl/series-aflw!4 Kayo Sports AFLW
  71. Web site: Aussie Rules TV Schedules for 2017 for USA, Canada, and Mexico. www.afana.com. Australian Football Association of North America. 3 February 2017.
  72. News: Gaskin. Lee. NAB signs on as AFL Women's League naming-rights sponsor. 2 February 2017. AFL Media. Bigpond. 10 October 2016.
  73. News: Navaratnam. Dinny. New uniforms unveiled for AFL Women's comp. 2 February 2017. AFL Media. Bigpond. 10 November 2016.
  74. News: Connolly. Eoin. Wednesday's Daily Deal Round-Up: Boxing and much more. 2 February 2017. SportsPro. 11 January 2017.
  75. News: Wolf Blass to sponsor AFL Women's League. 2 February 2017. Mumbrella. 2 February 2017.
  76. News: Faloyin. Dipo. Kellogg's to sponsor inaugural AFL Women's League. 2 February 2017. SportsPro. 31 January 2017.
  77. Web site: Home . sherrin.com.au.
  78. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-02/all-conquering-erin-phillips-claims-second-aflw-best-and-fairest/10964666 Erin Phillips wins AFLW best and fairest for second time after Adelaide Crows premiership win
  79. https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2020/04/29/indigenous-player-madison-prespakis-named-aflws-best-player Indigenous player Madison Prespakis named AFLW's best player
  80. https://womens.afl/news/71748/history-makers-magpies-co-captain-dockers-superstar-share-aflw-b-f, Womens.afl, 25 April 2021
  81. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-season-7-best-and-fairest-winner-ally-anderson-brisbane-lions-beats-monique-conti-in-thrilling-count-final-votes-tally-stats/news-story/50d9f318c40493267b046754c34e5cb3 Lions star Ally Anderson crowned AFLW best and fairest in comp’s most insane count yet
  82. News: Vinall. Marnie. Cross-code superstar Conti wins the AFLW's biggest award; Garner 'officially invisible'. The Age. 27 November 2023. 27 November 2023. 27 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127154806/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/eight-of-the-best-how-kearney-matched-buddy-danger-and-gaz-20231127-p5en2j.html. live.

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