AFLW season 2021: Clubs bracing for changes to Round 1 fixture

Just over a week before the start of the 2021 season, AFLW clubs are bracing for big fixture changes. Here’s how your club could be affected.

Western Bulldogs footballer Isabel Huntington evades her St Kilda opponent during the 2020 season. Picture: AAP IMAGE/MICHAEL DODGE

With less than 10 days until the start of the 2021 AFLW season, clubs are bracing for changes to the draw as the AFL works through COVID-19 border restrictions.

The season will get underway when Carlton plays Collingwood on January 28, but border restrictions due to COVID clusters in Sydney and Brisbane have complicated a number of games across the fixture that could require a reshuffle.

Greater Western Sydney have relocated to South Australia to avoid border restrictions currently imposed upon New South Wales and are expected to spend an extended period of time in Adelaide as they prepare to fly to Perth for their Round 1 game against Fremantle on January 31.

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With them camped in SA, there’s a possibility a footy bubble could be created, where the fixture is rewritten and the Giants, Adelaide, West Coast and Fremantle play each other in the opening rounds and the Victorian and Queensland teams play each other, before the AFL reassesses its fixture considering border closures.

Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke said the club had been told by the league that fixture changes could be imminent.

“We do know that GWS have relocated to Adelaide and they (the AFL) have said there’s a strong probability the draw may change from the originally scheduled set up,” Clarke said.

“But I’m really confident there’s a really strong desire and will for the season to get through the full minor round games and to be as close to normal as possible, but within that, we just have to be flexible and adapt to that.”

GWS has been forced to relocate to South Australia.

North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker told his leadership group after their practice game against Collingwood on Sunday to be aware there was a possibility for potential fixture changes in the first four weeks of the season.

“Our girls have been fantastic all the way through, they’ve been agile and flexible, you just have to be, that’s just the situation we find ourselves in.

“And if you overplay it too much in your mind, you take away what you need to focus on and the important thing is to control what you can control, and that’s all we’ve got to worry about.”

Other complications to the AFLW fixture as it currently stands include that West Coast scheduled to travel to Queensland to take on the Suns in Round 1 (WA’s hard border making it difficult for the Eagles on return) and in Round 2, Richmond is drawn to play the Eagles in Perth on Sunday, February 7, while Fremantle heads to Melbourne to play Collingwood at Victoria Park on the same day.

Crows captain Chelsea Randall said her side was willing to do whatever it took to ensure the 2021 season was played in full.

“COVID obviously keeps throwing us some curveballs,” she said.

“Round 1 could look entirely different … we’ll wait and see.

“Our Crows girls are willing and ready to go wherever we need to go to play our footy.”

The AFL continues to closely monitor the situation across the country, with its main priority being the safety of the players and wider community, while ensuring the season is completed.

WHY I’D PAY $10 TO GO TO AN AFLW GAME

In 2021, for the first time in AFLW history, all games will be ticketed for women’s AFL matches.

Previously, only select games – usually double-headers played as curtain-raisers to AFL games – charged entry fees.

Otherwise, the games were free to attend, including the 2019 AFLW Grand Final when 53,034 spectators crammed into the Adelaide Oval to watch the Crows beat Carlton by 45 points and in the process set a new Australian record for the highest attendance at a stand-alone women’s sporting event. (That record has since been broken when 86,174 fans attended the T20 World Cup final between Australia and India at the MCG on March 8, 2020).

In 2021, entry to all AFLW games will be $10 for adults, with those under 18 allowed into matches for free.

Fans will pay to watch the AFLW in 2021. Picture: Michael Klein

The AFL says the introduction of ticketing will allow crowds to attend in a COVID-safe environment.

“We are proud the 2021 season will see all matches ticketed, we have listened to supporters of women’s football who continue to indicate a willingness to pay to attend AFLW matches and support the growth of the competition,” women’s footy boss Nicole Livingstone said about the move.

So ahead of the season scheduled to start on January 28 with Carlton taking on Collingwood at Ikon Park, we ask well-known Australians: Why would you pay $10 to go to an AFLW game?:

MEGAN SCHUTT

Australian cricketer, No. 2 bowler in the world:

“I’m happy to pay the equivalent of two coffees to watch entertaining, passionate football. These talented athletes are paid next to nothing, so if putting a small price on tickets helps the game continue to grow, we should all support that.”

ISABEL HUNTINGTON

Western Bulldogs player, 2020 AFLW Rising Star:

“I’d pay more than $10 because there’s such an incredible atmosphere at games, and it’s only going to get better and that is worthy of it being ticketed in my eyes. Also, I think paying and having ticketed games helps support the athletes and the women of the AFLW who sacrifice so much and put so much on the line to go out there and play, it’s the least that can happen from a ticketing standpoint, to contribute back to the game. A lot of fans have been asking for many years now to actually be able to financially contribute, so I think it’s really great in that sense and it’s a great step forward to an equitable competition and reflecting what leagues around the world do.”

MEG LANNING

Australian Women’s Cricket Team captain:

“I would pay $10 to go and see an AFLW game so that I can watch a former teammate of mine, Emma Kearney, dominate in the midfield for North Melbourne. A tough competitor on the field who goes hard at the ball and that’s something all sports fans should see live!”

KANE CORNES

AFL premiership winner, SEN breakfast radio presenter, media commentator:

“I’d pay $10 to watch an AFLW game to witness the fierce contests and elite tackling that has fast become a cornerstone of the young league. These athletes play with a passion and enthusiasm that is infectious to watch live.”

Adelaide Oval was packed out for the 2019 AFLW Grand Final. Picture: AFC Media

ERIK THOMSON

Actor:

“Absolutely. It’s a small price to pay to widen the reach and resources of the sport and acknowledge excellence.”

BEC GODDARD

Hawthorn VFLW head coach, 2017’s inaugural AFLW premiership-winning coach:

“Because $10 is bigger than football. That $10 gives me the opportunity to make our female athletes feel valued and show the broader community that gender is no reason for “free”.

“As long as we allow businesses, including sport, to treat our mothers, sisters or daughters as lower value for doing exactly the same job as men, then we’re encouraging a culture where women are more likely to be ignored or overlooked – $10 is just the beginning and an absolute steal to watch superstars like Erin Phillips, Chelsea Randall and Eb Marinoff in action.”

RORY SLOANE

Crows AFL captain:

“Because I love footy. And I love watching the women play. The AFLW is so good for our game and for women’s sport in general. My sister, Shae, played footy when she was younger but had to stop because there was no competition for her to play in anymore. She’s now converted from volleyball to football (and plays for Melbourne). I just love watching footy, so that’s why I’d pay $10. Or $15. Or $20!”

Rory and Shae Sloane are a footy family. Picture: Michael Klein

SAM MAC

Weather presenter on Chanel 7’s Sunrise:

“I’d be happy to pay a minimum of $10 to see a game of AFLW. Firstly, because the games are top notch. Secondly, because I think they deserve to be paid far more than they currently are given the training and commitment involved. Ps: Go Crows!”

LISA ALEXANDER

Former Australian Diamonds coach:

“To watch our elite women Australian rules footballers in action up close and personal is worth every cent of a $10 ticket. This ensures we are seriously valuing the game, its competitiveness and the skill and efforts of the athletes and coaches.”

Originally published as AFLW season 2021: Clubs bracing for changes to Round 1 fixture