Women’s place in football is finally the norm, writes Neroli Meadows

FOR the majority of my career I’ve been surrounded by men. On many occasions I’m the only female. Sometimes, I’m not even that; just on the outside. Until now, writes Neroli Meadows.

Neroli Meadows opens up on the impact of the AFLW on women in media

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LET’S be honest, I work in a male dominated industry.

For the majority of my career I’ve been surrounded by men. On many occasions I’m the only female. Sometimes, I’m not even that; just on the outside, looking in.

Every woman involved in this industry has a similar story. That’s what made this weekend so special.

We all knew what the other was feeling. It wasn’t women pitted against each other for a solitary role on offer. It was women, supporting women - being proud of each other, embracing each other, often in tears.

Administrators who have spent decades surrounded by men; a coach who has always been the only female staff member in a team of blokes; a player who has spent her entire junior career playing with the boys until, of course, she was told she was no longer allowed to play at all.

AFLW Round 1 was historic for the game in Australia

We all came together and it was a united front. No longer were we asking permission to be involved, peeping around a door, pleading to come in.

We all knew what it took to get to this moment.

We all knew just how passionate you have to be to survive, let alone thrive. Every single person had to fight to get to that moment. But it was a moment worth fighting for.

For the first time, I wasn’t the outsider. I was the norm - a woman who loves footy.

My niece turns five next week. On Saturday, my brother sent me a text: “We got to see Aunty Neroli on the TV today and Milla is very keen to play footy now, but ‘I’m not getting any tattoos, Dad!’”

Neroli Meadows opens up on the impact of the AFLW on women in media

Now that’s a beautiful thing.

She’ll grow up always feeling like it’s her game.

And what’s more, her three younger brothers won’t know any different.

That’s the change; the shift in thinking.

Girls playing footy, no big deal.

Neroli Meadows hosts FOX FOOTY’s coverage of the NAB AFL Women’s League. FOX FOOTY will be the only place to see all 28 home-and-away matches LIVE and ad-break free during play.