AFL has finalised pay deal for players in new women’s league after protracted negotiations

AFTER the AFL Players’ Association rejected the AFL’s original women’s pay offer of $5,000 it is understood an agreement has been reached with the league follwoing an at times heated debate.

Eight of the AFLW’s marquee signings together ahead of the inaugural women’s league. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

THE AFL has finalised its contentious pay deal for the players in the new women’s league with an announcement to come as early as Thursday.

After protracted negotiations and at times heated debate over its initial offer, it is understood the league and the AFL Players Association have reached an agreement for the new competition, which will kick off in February next year.

AFL general manager of game and development Simon Lethlean said on Wednesday a deal was imminent and that it would give the AFLW a sustainable start to its inaugural season.

“We’re really close and we’re confident it’s something the AFLPA will endorse and it’ll be a fair deal in most people’s eyes,” Lethlean said.

“(It will be) a really fair deal, a really rewarding deal and a deal that we’ve worked closely with the players and the AFLPA on to ensure it’s a sustainable start to this comp. The girls are well rewarded, not just for playing, but for marketing and ambassadorial roles.”

The AFL is expected to announce as soon as Thursday its finalised pay deal for players in the AFL Women’s league. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

It comes as the AFL on Wednesday announced a partnership with Deakin University, aided by a $1 million donation from Moose Toys, to provide a new program to help children with disabilities access to sports.

The AFL Players’ Association rejected the league’s original women’s pay offer, insisting the $5000 minimum wage was too low.

The AFL had proposed to pay the majority of its players $5000, with priority signings and top draft picks to receive $10,000, while the 16 marquee players would earn $25,000 under the original offer.

The original figures included superannuation payments, but players would have to pay their own health insurance under the initial proposal.

The AFL faced a backlash over its original pay offer for the 22-week contract, which includes pre-season training and eight weeks of competition.

The minimum wage for players in the new national netball league was this year increased to $27,375, while female cricketers earn at least $18,000 if they play both the one-day and Twenty20 domestic leagues.

Collingwood marquee signing Moana Hope remained grateful for the opportunities the AFL had given women’s football.

“I’ve never really been worried about the pay ... I am extremely grateful that we are getting paid and that we get to pull on an AFL jersey,” Hope said.

Moana Hope has been playing for the St Kilda Sharks in the VFL women’s competition. Picture: Mark Dadswell

An announcement on the AFLW fixture is likely to come next week, with each of the games a chance to be screened on television.

Channel Seven is keen to broadcast one game per week, while Fox Footy is considering showing “most, if not all” of the matches.

“We’ll get as many curtain-raisers as we can, or curtain-closers for some of them,” Lethlean said, confirming that some matches will be played before or after the men’s pre-season games.

“(Many) women work, they have to get home and can’t miss weekdays sometimes,” Lethlean said. “There’s lots of overlays that are harder than the men’s fixture at times so we’re working through all of that.”

The AFL is yet to make a decision on a venue for the AFLW Grand Final, to be played on March 25, with the MCG and Etihad Stadium an option, but the prospect that it could still be played at a more family-friendly ground such as Whitten Oval remains.