‘More eyeballs on the game’: AFLW stars call for prime time matches at MCG and Marvel

AFLW stars have called for the women’s game to be more aligned with the men’s football season and say they want to play on bigger stages with larger crowds, including prime time matches at the MCG and Marvel Stadium.

AFLW’s Carlton and Collingwood teams line up for the national anthem before the game in 2017. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

AFLW stars have called for the women’s game to be better aligned with the men’s season to allow blockbuster double headers and bigger crowds.

The AFLW season opener will next month go back to the future as Carlton and Collingwood kick off the season at the same place the groundbreaking league started.

The Blues and Pies will kick off the season at Ikon Park, celebrating the 10th season of females playing at the highest level.

But while AFLW has breathed new life into suburban grounds since its 2017 inception, players say the season needs to be longer and females deserve to play on bigger stages such a prime time matches at the MCG and Marvel Stadium.

Collingwood’s Ruby Schleicher and Carlton’s Gab Pound both played in the first AFLW match and will square off action at Ikon Park when the season launches on August 14.

Gab Pound played for Carlton and Ruby Schleicher for Collingwood in the inaugural match and are set to square off again in August. Picture: Ian Currie

While they were proud of how far the women’s game has come, they both said more needed to be done in the next decade to ensure AFLW reached its full potential.

“The most games we can play, the better,’’ Schleicher said.

“We love the grounds we play now and we definitely want to keep that element of community feel but if we could also see games being played on bigger stages and double headers.

“I definitely feel there are opportunities for that will hopefully come as the game comes on.’’

As up to 90,000 fans pack the MCG for an AFL clash between Collingwood and Carlton on Friday night, she said a women’s curtain raiser could push the crowd to 100,000.

“It would be pretty incredible,’’ she said.

“Don’t get me wrong — I’m really glad we are back playing the 10th anniversary game at Ikon Park – back to the stadium where we had that iconic night.

“But I think eventually there is going to be a time that comes where we do see those double headers and that will be an exciting experience.’’

Pound said: “I would like to see some more opportunities for double headers … as a player it would be great.’’

So many fans tried to squeeze into Carlton’s home ground for the first AFLW match that thousands were locked outside the gates unable to get in.

There were big crowds at early AFLW games. Picture: Rob Leeson

It meant so much to Schleicher, she got the date of that first match tattooed on her arm.

“It’s pretty incredible to see the growth of the league and where we are at now,’’ she said.

“I’m proud to see where we are at and the impact we’ve made on women’s sport in Australia.

“Young girls don’t know anything different to girls playing footy, which is very different to the way I grew up.

“We have changed a sport in Australia but we still have a long way to go and we would love to play everyone once and play at all sorts of grounds.’’

AFLW stars are calling to play at bigger grounds. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Stars say the growth of the game has been “incredible”. Picture: Joe Castro

Pound said the first AFLW match was “just the most unreal experience” and its impact was still being felt.

“Knowing that we have changed the lives of some people, changed the trajectory of the AFL itself and women’s sport in the wider realm,’’ she said.

Tickets to the season opener go on sale via Ticketmaster on Friday, from 10am for members and noon for the public, with adults $15 and under 18s free.

Schleicher said: “We want more sell outs, more eyeballs on the game … and then leave the rest to us that to make sure there is a product that people want to come and support.’’

Originally published as ‘More eyeballs on the game’: AFLW stars call for prime time matches at MCG and Marvel