AFLW players ready to embrace smart ball technology, expected to be introduced for 2024 season

An AFLW star says being pioneers of the league’s use of smart balls will be a “huge” step for women’s football as the AFL moves closer to confirming they will be used for the first time this season.

A call on cutting-edge microchip football technology for the AFL Women’s season is imminent, with the introduction of the “smart ball” considered all but certain for the women’s season’s kick-off in a fortnight.

AFL Women’s players would be the first top-tier players to use the live tracking technology in competition, which is in the seventh generation of works.

The league could confirm the move as soon as early next week, with the ninth season of AFLW to be launched on Tuesday night at the Melbourne Town Hall.

“It’s huge,” one senior AFLW player contacted by this masthead said on Thursday.

“To be the first players to showcase this technology — and especially before the men – is a great step for the women’s competition.”

A microchip is placed inside a Sherrin during testing Picture: Supplied

The ball – which has been developed and tested over recent years by the league, developer Sportable and Sherrin – contains a chip that provides instant feedback on whether it has touched a goalpost or player’s hand, or passed the goal line.

It is understood that an official would be positioned at each ground to immediately alert umpires in the case of such a scenario, but that umpires would not call for a review like in the men’s game.

The ball is no heavier than the current Sherrins in use and has been developed to handle or kick no differently.

Wireless charging of the smart ball was a significant step, with the Sherrin having been trialled in the VFL and VFLW with promising results.

The smart ball has been trialled in the VFL and VFLW. Picture: Supplied

No call has yet been made on its introduction to the men’s game, with the implementation in AFLW sure to be watched closely.

The technology also measures the speed and rotation of the ball and distance travelled.

“It started with a level of curiosity, and it fit really neatly with our strong focus on innovation,” AFL football boss Laura Kane said earlier this year.

“What more could we know about the ball?.”

There was a chorus of calls last season to introduce goal review technology in the women’s competition, which plays at a range of non-stadium venues such as Frankston, Casey Fields and Sydney’s Henson Park.

The league cited cost versus benefit for “the small amount of decisions” that would be affected as its reasoning for not installing ARC technology at grounds, with the smart ball considered a far more effective system under the current landscape.

The AFL has prioritised atmosphere at venues over larger stadiums as the competition continues to grow.

The upcoming season marks the third season with all 18 teams featuring.

Originally published as AFLW players ready to embrace smart ball technology, expected to be introduced for 2024 season